Greetings!

I am a licensed clinical psychologist and have worked for many years with patients with depression and anxiety.  Often, trauma is an underlying factor in these symptoms, and I am interested in helping people heal from interpersonal violence and in the prevention of such violence.

I graduated with my Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. After internship at the Palo Alto VA Medical Center, I completed my post-doctoral training at Stanford University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. I began my private practice in 2001, focusing on diagnostic, forensic, and neuropsychological evaluations.

Over the last several years, my focus has been on healing from interpersonal violence and the prevention of such violence. My current goals are to improve lives through education, skill building, and empowerment. My groups which integrate psychological skills and physical self-defense training aim to help women to heal from interpersonal violence by enhancing their sense of competency and helping them recognize and experience their own internal and external strength.  Research has shown these groups to be empowering and healing for women with a history of interpersonal violence.

During college I began martial arts training and continued for over 10 years. Having my black belt in Tae Kwon Do, I have previously taught Tae Kwon Do and self-defense seminars. The integration of clinical psychology and martial arts by a professional who understands the depth of the psychological injury that can result from violence and abuse is unique and innovative.

I have also developed and tested an empowerment health-based class for adolescent girls in a local high school. The program is designed to enhance interpersonal relationships and one's rights associated with such relationships.  It focuses on teaching skills for healthy relationships and physical empowerment. Topics addressed include myths about dating violence, gender roles, and healthy relationships, and links these topics to violence against women. By teaching girls how to recognize abuse and helping them cultivate a healthy self-image in conjunction with psychological (e.g., assertiveness and communication skills) and physical self-defense skills, the program aims to enhance adolescent girls' overall well-being.

In addition to private practice, I am a Clinical Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Senior Research Scholar at the Kozmetsky Global Collaboratory. My research has traditionally focused on the biological and psychosocial aspects of severe depression.  In the last several years, this has expanded to focus on healing from and the prevention of interpersonal violence.

Education

         ·         NIMH Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Biobehavioral Training Grant, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford                       University

         ·         Ph.D., Psychology. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

                o    Area of Specialization: Clinical/Community Psychology

         ·         A.M., Psychology. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

         ·         B.S., Psychology with honors. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Professional Affiliations
American Psychological Association
Santa Clara County Psychological Association
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies