My approach is eclectic, flexible and highly adaptive to my client's needs. I specialize in Drama Therapy a trauma-informed, relational and arts-based approach. I also often incorporate interventions from Mindfulness/ Meditation, Expressive Arts, Liberation Psychology, CBT, ACT and CFT.
At the start, I consider fostering an empathetic, encouraging and supportive environment of self-discovery for my clients absolutely essential to create a strong client-therapist alliance. My approach starts with a strong basis of positive regard for each client and holistic assessment which includes the history of clients interacting with their social circles, communities, environments and the systems that influence them. Then, through focusing on the client's symptoms, struggles and core values, we will craft objectives and treatment goals that can benefit their healing journey. Once a steady rapport is established, my approach can become more direct. Each session will be responsive to the needs and focus the client brings in. In addition, many clients have found it helpful with understanding and seeing themselves more clearly to have limiting beliefs or biases reflected back to them to benefit their insight, growth and self-reflection. It can be very helpful for resilience building for clients to form strength-based coping strategies and self soothing habits based on their present interests and affinities. I very much enjoy helping clients to get creative with these strategies. I let clients determine progress at their own pace and uphold an agreement of communication to ensure a smooth and restorative experience.
My services are best suited for those who are open to finding creative ways of managing their struggles, those whose hearts are aligned against bigotry and oppression, and those who are able to follow tele-heath recommendations by maintaining their personal safety and avoid threatening the safety of others.
Ever since childhood, I have believed in the healing and restorative powers of the expressive arts! As an undergraduate, I chose to Major in Theatre and Minor in Dance and Women & Gender Studies. I was in love with the movement that can be created in the mind when arts and action methods are accessible to the body.
I received my Masters in Counseling Psychology and Drama Therapy from California Institute of Integral Studies. As a culturally responsive, creative arts therapist, I have provided group and individual counseling to youth and adults since 2017 that was customized to the client's strengths, needs and inter-sectional backgrounds. As a clinician, I have served in traineeships with a variety of mental health facilities from community clinics and residential treatment centers to small faith-based, social justice nonprofits based in downtown San Francisco. As a Black/Caribbean cisgender woman my positionality informs my professional work. As a progressive Christian, I follow Jesus' example of coming alongside others in their suffering and identifying with the oppressed. As a life-long thespian, I have enjoyed collaborating with various therapeutic theatre and expressive arts organizations serving a wide variety of populations in the Bay Area including The Neighborly Project, Living Arts Playback Ensemble and Oakland Freedom Theatre (Therapeutic Community Based Storytelling and Improv).
My commitment to unconditional positive regard began as spiritual calling long before I went to graduate school. I firmly believe we are all multifaceted spiritual beings having a human experience and are effected in various ways by the systemic, institutional, historical and interpersonal factors. I was committed to broadening horizons and serving as a mentor, leader or counselor in various settings. Since 2014, I have worked clients from a variety of backgrounds and a myriad of ages in residential treatment, schools, grass roots non-profits, community agencies, conferences, arts organizations and now in telehealth private practice.
