Assessment and care
Evidence-based therapies, tailored to you
Treatment always begins with a thorough assessment, which gives us a clear understanding of the strengths and challenges that will shape your care. From there, we draw on one or more of the scientifically supported approaches below, adapted to your values, goals, and stage of life.
Psychodiagnostic evaluations
Each intake begins with a careful evaluation that combines a clinical interview, a review of relevant records, and empirically supported questionnaires, with additional measures added as needed.
That picture is what makes everything below possible. Rather than starting with a method and fitting you to it, we start with a clear understanding of what is happening and then choose the approaches with the strongest evidence for it.
Core therapies
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT explores the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and it offers practical tools for change. It is one of the most thoroughly studied treatments for a wide range of concerns across the lifespan.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
ACT helps you change your relationship with anxious thoughts instead of fighting them. Rather than arguing with every worry, you learn to notice it, step back from it, and choose actions that fit your values, even when anxiety shows up. ACT has research support for anxiety, depression, and chronic stress, and it works well for adults and teens caught in cycles of overthinking and perfectionism.
Exposure and response prevention (ERP)
ERP is a highly effective approach for OCD and anxiety. Through gradual, active practice, people learn to approach what they fear and loosen the grip of avoidance and compulsions.
Behavioral activation (BA)
Behavioral activation helps people reengage with meaningful, goal-directed activity rather than letting mood dictate the day. Research with adults and teens shows that BA can reduce depression, decrease avoidance, and improve overall life satisfaction.
Specialized treatment
Behavioral treatment for tics and BFRBs
Specialized behavioral strategies help children, teens, and adults gain greater control over tics and body-focused repetitive behaviors such as trichotillomania (hair pulling) and skin picking.
DBT skills training
I offer individual DBT skills training for teens, adults, and parents experiencing intense and distressing emotions, either within therapy or as a focused one-on-one service.
I do not provide comprehensive DBT programming, and I am happy to help you find it if it is the right fit.
Mindfulness-based therapies
Mindfulness practices build awareness of emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in the present moment. I weave these skills into my work in ways that fit each person’s age and needs.
Working with parents
Parent training and consultation
Structured, skills-based work helps parents of children with ADHD, behavior problems, and emotion dysregulation strengthen routines, relationships, and family cohesion, drawing on methods from PMT, DBT, and PCIT.
SPACE
I am trained in SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions), SPACE ARFID, and SPACE Failure to Launch, which help parents reduce the accommodations that can maintain anxiety and OCD in children, teens, and young adults.
Coordinating your care
Collaboration with prescribers
When helpful, I work closely with primary care physicians, pediatricians, and psychiatrists, which can include tracking how well a medication works or supporting changes to a medication plan.
Short-term consultation
I also offer brief, focused consultation on occasion, which can suit someone who wants a second opinion, a targeted plan for a specific problem, or guidance before committing to ongoing therapy. Please ask if that would suit your needs.
I believe therapy should be collaborative, compassionate, and tailored to each person, and I welcome people of all values, backgrounds, and identities.
For adults and college students
Daytime therapy that fits an adult schedule
Many of the people I see are adults and young adults working through depression, tics or hair pulling, anxiety, or a major life transition such as starting college or stepping into a new role.
I offer daytime appointments in Calabasas and by telehealth across 5 states, which makes it easier for college students to continue care while away at school.
Not sure which approach is right for you?
That is exactly what a consultation is for. We will talk through your concerns and decide on the best path forward together.