Hello.
Thank you for stopping by. If you're reading this page you're probably curious about whether or not we'd be a good therapeutic fit. I believe therapy works with the right person. It's a vulnerable adventure and I welcome your courage and curiosity.
A bit about my background: I grew up in Los Angeles and moved to the Bay Area in my 20s. Life was one restless transition after another until I got sober in my late-30s and began to sit with myself and process my history. I have done and continue to do my own work in therapy. It has gifted me more understanding, agency, empathy for others and compassion for myself.
Over the years I've met very capable, well-informed people seeking collaboration for change and had the privilege of being their witness and guide. My baseline for what’s normal is broad and influenced by a client’s values, beliefs and perception of self. Some of my core values are humor, creativity, equality, acceptance, genuineness and social justice. I’m aware of marginalized communities and the disastrous impacts of Western culture on the human experience.
There is a lot of room for growth in a safe relationship that can get to the root of intimate suffering. Some would say the relationship is the most therapeutic aspect of therapy. When we meet, I'm learning about your history, dreams, goals, struggles and strengths. My intention is to connect and be of service in the best way I can.
I live in the Bay Area with my husband and our playful Schnauzer who is one of my best teachers. I'm a stroke survivor with an autoimmune disease for those living with a chronic illness and needing a more sympathetic ear and/or experience. Feel free to reach out if you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment. I look forward to connecting with you.
- Hillary -
Sonoma Coast
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"Life can only be understood backwards,
but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard |
Education and Training
I graduated from the University of San Francisco with a Master's in Counseling Psychology in 2006. I then interned for 6 years and obtained my state license in 2012. I also have a Bachelor's in Theatre, which comes in handy when I need a poker face. My academic background is primarily in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with additional training and education in the following:
I graduated from the University of San Francisco with a Master's in Counseling Psychology in 2006. I then interned for 6 years and obtained my state license in 2012. I also have a Bachelor's in Theatre, which comes in handy when I need a poker face. My academic background is primarily in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with additional training and education in the following:
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Treats mood disorders and changes unhelpful behavioral patterns such as suicidality, substance abuse and interpersonal difficulty. This is not a replacement for DBT treatment. Although I incorporate DBT skills into my practice, DBT treatment is best done in group format with a team of therapists and peers. There are a number of wonderful resources like the Oakland DBT Center and DBT Marin.
- Seeking Safety: Treats those struggling with trauma and substance abuse at the same time. Old treatment models would address one at a time - get sober then we'll address your trauma or address your trauma then we can talk about your addiction. This model addresses BOTH issues simultaneously. Please note that I am not a treatment facility and therapy once a week does not replace substance abuse treatment methods such as intensive outpatient, inpatient and/or communities like LifeRing and 12-Step recovery. Therapy is a great complement to group support but often cannot address addiction alone.
- Internal Family Systems aka "Parts Work": This modality views a person as many different parts with each part having their own individual function. The parts are typically present to protect the person's core, vulnerable self. I've found this approach to be very effective with trauma survivors because it builds self-compassion for parts that a person may not like or disapproves of. A harsh internal critic is an example of a part.
- EMDR aka Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: EMDR was developed by Francine Shapiro by accident. She stumbled upon it while struggling with an issue and created an effective tool to help heal trauma. No one really knows how it works but it can provide great relief. You can learn more about it here. I use EMDR as a tool and was trained in it as such. I am not registered with EMDRIA (Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing International Association). If you would prefer to seek the assistance of a EMDRIA-certified therapist, you can find one here.
- Motivational Interviewing: A method used to move a person from one stage of change to another. For example, if a person is ambivalent about quitting drinking, MI helps a person change by resolving ambivalence.
- Hakomi: Focuses on mindful attention to body sensations, emotions and memories with the intention of breaking old patterns of behavior.
- Non-violent Communication: I divide communication into 3 layers - the top layer is content, the middle is the pattern and the bottom layer is our genuine feelings and needs. Non-violent communication addresses the bottom layer by giving our core self and others the empathy needed for genuine self-expression.