background

I am of Italian and Guatemalan descent.  My passion to help others began at a very early age as I played an active role in my parents cultural assimilation to life in the United States.  During this time, I became interested in social justice, human behavior, and generational trauma.   

I began my career in the heart of Skid Row servicing the homeless population.  This experience exposed me to people from all walks of life and different cultural backgrounds ranging from the ages of 18-80 years old.  I have worked for different programs within the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health extending from intensive field-based work, outpatient services, and wellness programs. I have worked with children, individuals, groups, and families providing a variety of therapeutic services including individual, couples, and group therapy and have conducted hundreds of mental health evaluations.  I also served as a member of a spirituality round table in which local clergy and County officials would meet monthly to strategize and bring awareness to mental health in the Northeast Los Angeles Community.

Due to being bilingual I have been able to work with Spanish speaking clients/families and gained more knowledge/insight into Latino culture. This experience taught me that being a relatable and trustworthy therapist is key to developing a relationship with others, in providing tools to improve their lives, overall functioning, and capacity to learn/grow.

In 2023 I expanded my services to include immigration psychological evaluations for individuals and families who are applying for various waivers and petitions.