Compassionate therapy for the soul that’s ready to go deeper

Stylized lotus flower with purple petals outlined in white and dark gray on a black background.
A woman wearing glasses and a purple hat taking a selfie by a lake with snow-capped mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.

A Lifelong Commitment to Healing

I provide effective, evidence-based techniques to help clients find relief, strengthen coping skills, and create lasting change. My specialties include long-term recovery from substance use, support for trauma and PTSD, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, impulse control, and relationship challenges.

I earned my Master’s in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in the Treatment of Alcohol and Other Drugs from John F. Kennedy University in 1989, and my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Wright Institute in 2003. Alongside my private practice in Auburn, I have served as Regional Clinical Director for Aegis Medical Systems, been a Board Member of the Sacramento Valley Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, served as Board President of the San Francisco Psychotherapy Research Group, and was the Founder and CEO of the Auburn Davis Center for DBT.

Illustration of a stylized, symmetrical lotus flower with five petals, outlined in black with light purple interior.
A woman sitting cross-legged on the grass, smiling, next to a stone sculpture of a seated figure with hands in a meditative pose, in an outdoor setting with trees and ancient temples in the background.

India

An Integrative Path to Self-Discovery

I have a compassionate, open-hearted, broad-minded, and flexible approach. I work best with clients who have already begun their inner work — spiritual seekers, individuals in stable recovery, and those ready to explore the deeper layers of their emotional and spiritual lives. My specialties are in traditional psychotherapy, substance abuse treatment, and drawing from Family Systems, Couples, Psychodynamic, Trauma & Control Mastery Theories.

My style is integrative, tailored to each person’s unique needs. In our sessions, you’ll find a compassionate, open-minded, and collaborative space where your lived experience and wisdom are honored. Together, we’ll identify patterns, uncover insights, and support meaningful change.

Stylized flower logo with purple petals and white outlines.

My Legacy Project

As I near the later stages of my career, my legacy project focuses on bringing social-emotional learning and resilience-building skills to children in school environments. In partnership with Jay Indik, LCSW, Oakland DBT, Auburn Davis DBT, and fellow DBT practitioners across the country, we are continually exploring new ways to offer preventive support to help young people navigate life's challenges.

Pink water lily flower floating on a pond with green lily pads.

Some things remain unbreakable—whether by steel or spirit.

Statue of Buddha seated outdoors with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

Amida Buddha in Maui, Hawaii

Reflections on Survival:

I am very fond of this Amida Buddha in Maui. This 12-foot-tall copper statue is associated with light and compassion. I have visited this many times over the last 30 years. The fire of 2023 destroyed everything around the buddha except the statue its self and the stone pedestal.

The Buddha's survival feels almost poetic: amidst agony and loss, one figure remains, silent yet profound. It reminds us that while buildings may fall and memories may blur, the essence—the compassion, hope, and connection that bind us—weaves on.

Much like how people endure trauma and losses yet keep going, this statue stands as a testament to endurance and grace. It’s more than metal or tradition—it’s a quiet promise that some light persists, even in ashes.

Sunlight shining through a dense forest of tall trees, casting a warm glow on the greenery below.

The “Wood Wide Web”

Trees, though they stand as individual beings, are deeply connected beneath the surface through intricate root systems and underground fungal networks, often called the “Wood Wide Web.” Through these hidden pathways, they share nutrients, send warnings about danger, and support weaker or younger trees—cooperating instead of competing.

In many ways, people are the same. We might appear separate, living our own lives, but we're tied together through invisible threads of empathy, kindness, shared experience, and community. Just like trees, when one of us suffers or thrives, it affects the whole. Our strength doesn't come from standing alone, but from standing together—rooted in connection, compassion, and care.

Simplified illustration of a lotus flower with purple petals outlined in white and dark gray on a black background.

Photos from my travels

A large meditative statue of Buddha, with a serene expression, seated in a forested area with lush green trees and a bright blue sky in the background. In front of the statue, there is a small potted plant with pink flowers and various small offering
Looking up at tall redwoods in a forest with sunlight filtering through the green leaves.
A woman taking a selfie in a crowded street with a large group of women. The women have yellow and red markings on their foreheads and are wearing traditional Indian clothing, with some in colorful scarves and dupattas. The woman in white appears to
A large, old tree with a thick trunk and lush green foliage against a pink building background, with people walking nearby in a park-like setting.
Close-up of gnarled and textured tree bark with a small spider web.
Maui Buddha

Explore your inner healing today