I am a psychotherapist in Pleasant Hill. I have been licensed since 1997 and practicing in Pleasant Hill since 1997. I have my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and I am licensed as a Marriage, Family and Child Therapist. I specialize in treating children and teenagers. I also run an anger management group for teenage boys and help them focus on developing the social skills they will need as adults. I also work with parents on how to cope with their children becoming young adults and setting appropriate limits for their child's age.
I have appeard on several television shows and radio shows as a guest discussing teenage issues and parenting issues. I have also testified as an expert witness regarding teens and children in the Superior Court of Contra Costa and Alameda Counties.
I consult with many of the school districts in the East Bay and I assist families with Individualized Educational Plans (IEP) for their children.
I believe in treating children and teens with respect but I also expect children and teens to show the adults in their lives the appropriate respect. I believe if parent and child openly and honestly express their feeling to each other most problems can be resolved.
I also work with high risk teens and children such as run aways, children with Bipolar, Autism, teens who are suicidal and abusing drugs just to name a few.
I was raised in Pleasant Hill and educated in the Bay Area. I went to De La Salle High School. I received my Bachelor's degree from U.C. Berkeley, my Masters from St. Marys and my Ph.D. from CSPP-Alameda.
Mother’s Day can be a sad day for many teenagers and children for various reasons. Here are some ideas to make the day easier
Due to the Coronavirus, mass shooting, police shooting people and attacks on Asian Americans we have a nation of grieving families.
Mass shootings have resumed in our Country. Do we care about kids or guns? What are we doing about the killings and hate?
Mass shootings have returned also violent attacks on minorities too & people being killed. Is this the new norm teens need to live with?
The last 2 yrs kid have coped with fear, anxiety & grief due to everything going on. Going back to school can exacerbate these feelings
As we reopen the Country children and teenagers are being exposed to trauma daily and experiencing vicarious trauma
Teenagers have been isolated from friends for so long they are afraid of losing friends and as a result use Camouflaging to keep friends
This article explains the difference between discipline and punishment and why discipline is more effective
The Coronavirus, mass shootings and racism in our Country is creating a great deal of stress for teens who act out their stress and pain
Many teenagers are using ADHD medications to get high instead of cocaine or heroin. It’s easier to get and they feel it’s legal
The Coronavirus Pandemic had many of us locked up for a year. As a result many teenagers became bored and used eating to escape boredom
Today’s world is becoming very overwhelming to many teenagers and as it does more and more are cutting as a way to cope with their emotions
Children are returning to school or continuing with remote learning. Some of their behavior may be due to anxiety or boredom or maybe ADHD
Many people assume bullying is not a big issue due to the Pandemic. However, cyber bullying still exists and on the rise
This article discusses systematic racism and the dramatic impact it has on Black teenagers
Family history helps children develop their self-esteem and is important to their mental health. This article discusses how and why
This article discusses that 3 years after the shooting in Park Side, Florida, there really have been no changes regarding gun laws
The Pandemic is going on a year and it is now taking a drastic toll on teenagers mental health and the need help. Here are some suggestions
Many teenagers feel they must be in a dating relationship and sexually active to be considered normal
Many teenagers have started using heroin during the Pandemic resulting in an increase in suicides and deaths due to drug overdose.
