My Approach
The overarching aim of my work is to help people grow and thrive by living in alignment with their authentic interests and values. ​My approach is grounded in Self Determination Theory (SDT), a leading scientific theory of motivation, personality development, and well-being. A core part of SDT is that all human beings are naturally inclined toward growth, vitality, and integration, but this potential can only be realized when certain basic psychological needs are consistently supported:
– Autonomy: the experience of acting with a sense of volition and authenticity.
– Relatedness: feeling connected, cared for, and a sense of belonging.
– Competence: feeling effective and capable in meeting life’s challenges.
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When these needs are satisfied, people feel more alive, emotionally resilient, and self-connected. When these needs are chronically frustrated--by environments, relationships, or internalized patterns--we can experience disengagement, emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, or compulsive behaviors.
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My work focuses on helping clients restore and strengthen these core needs, both internally and in their relationships with others, so they can live with greater meaning, vitality, and psychological freedom.
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The image at the top of the page is inspired by the ancient Japanese symbol mitsudomoe, often associated with dynamic balance, harmony, and the natural cycles of life. I’ve integrated into its design the three basic psychological needs identified in Self-Determination Theory—autonomy, competence, and relatedness—to reflect how these essential elements of human motivation are not only fundamental to our nature, but also central to an ongoing process of psychological growth and well-being.
Areas of Clinical Specialization
I work with people facing a range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, sleep issues, physical symptoms without a clear medical cause, and relationship struggles.
I’ve been trained in multiple evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), and mindfulness-based approaches. But rather than using one set model, I adapt these tools based on what feels most supportive and helpful to you. Using SDT as an overarching framework, I pay close attention to what helps you feel more in touch with yourself, more confident in your abilities, and more connected to the people who matter. That’s the core of what helps people thrive—not just get by.
I have a particular interest and specialized training in these areas and populations:
Behavioral Medicine
Behavioral medicine recognizes that mind and body are not separate. For example, when someone is coping with both depression and heart disease, treating each condition in isolation is often less effective because they can worsen or maintain each other. Effective care requires a collaborative, integrated approach—one that includes a mental health professional who understands how psychological and physiological processes interact.
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I have extensive experience working in medical settings and collaborating with physicians to support patients dealing with complex health challenges. My work includes helping clients manage:
– Chronic illness and medical conditions
– Stress-related health concerns
– Lifestyle changes related to physical activity, sleep, and nutrition
– Emotional responses to illness, pain, or injury
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Whether you’re struggling with a new diagnosis, trying to change long-standing health behaviors, or simply want to feel more in sync with your body, behavioral medicine can offer meaningful support that enhances both mental and physical health.
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From a Self-Determination Theory perspective, lasting improvements in health behaviors and overall well-being are most likely when people feel a sense of ownership over their choices, confidence in their ability to follow through, and support in the process. In my work, I help clients strengthen these internal capacities so that change feels self-directed and sustainable—not externally imposed.
Health Care Professionals and Trainees
Through years of teaching and consulting with medical students, residents, and faculty physicians, I’ve gained deep insight into the unique emotional and psychological demands of a career in healthcare.
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Many clinicians enter medicine with a strong sense of purpose—but over time, the relentless pace, exposure to suffering, moral distress, perfectionism, and institutional pressures can erode that sense of meaning and vitality. For some, this leads to emotional exhaustion, disconnection, or an unsettling sense that they’re “just going through the motions.” Others may struggle with anxiety, burnout, imposter feelings, or the quiet toll of chronic self-neglect.
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I find it deeply meaningful to support healthcare professionals—individuals who so often put others first—by offering a space where their well-being is the priority. Whether you’re navigating a professional crossroads, recovering from burnout, or trying to reconnect with your deeper reasons for choosing this path, I provide thoughtful, confidential support grounded in both psychological science and a real understanding of the culture of medicine.
Athletes: Mental Health and Performance
While serving as faculty at the University of Washington, I had the privilege of working with Division I collegiate athletes navigating the intense psychological demands of elite competition. That experience deepened my appreciation for the pressures athletes face—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.
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I now work with athletes at all levels. Whether you're dealing with performance anxiety, burnout, injury recovery, identity challenges, or off-field stressors, I provide a thoughtful, evidence-based approach tailored to the unique mindset of sport.
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My work integrates principles from clinical psychology, sport psychology, and Self-Determination Theory. That means addressing both performance and well-being—not just helping you perform better, but helping you feel more grounded, focused, and aligned with the deeper reasons you train and compete.
Services
Individual Psychotherapy
I offer individual psychotherapy sessions, usually 60 minutes long. Sessions are online only, though I may open an office in San Diego in the future. Due to telehealth laws, I am able to provide therapy only for clients who are physically in California at the time of the session.
Coaching
I use my background in behavioral medicine to provide evidence-based coaching to those who want to focus on health behaviors (e.g., physical activity, diet) or general life improvements, rather than addressing a mental health concern.
Consulting
I offer consultations to businesses, healthcare organizations, and educational institutions to harness intrinsic motivation and improve satisfaction at all levels of an organization. This includes brief presentations and skills building workshops.
About Me
I received an M.S. in Exercise and Wellness from Arizona State University in 2006 and then a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Kentucky in 2014. I completed an APA-accredited internship with a concentration in Behavioral Medicine at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, and stayed at Brown for a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in Integrated Primary Care Psychology. I then accepted a position as Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Washington, where I taught family medicine residents, saw primary care patients, and served as Assistant Program Director of the Family Medicine Residency. I moved to San Diego in 2020 to be closer to family and sunny weather. I am licensed to practice in California (PSY33047). For more details about my training and professional experience, see my CV.
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Outside of work, I enjoy tennis, hiking, strength and conditioning exercises, martial arts, reading, and walks by the ocean with my big, fluffy dog Amako.
Rates
My rate for psychotherapy is $200/hour, though I reserve a limited number of spots for a sliding scale fee. Some of these spots are specifically for healthcare trainees and professionals. I do not accept insurance, but I can provide paperwork so you can seek reimbursement from your insurer for out-of-network providers.
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For coaching or consulting rates, please contact me using the form below.
Contact Me
If you are interested in learning more about me or my services, I invite you to contact me via the link below. We can set up a time for a complimentary phone call. Please do not include anything in the message below that you wish to remain confidential as it is not a secure medium.
