Meet the Team

After working for the UC Davis employee assistance program we wanted to go into practice for ourselves. We enjoyed working with clients from all positions, going through everything from difficulties with supervisors or students to big life transitions. We appreciated not needing to diagnose clients when that was not helpful, but diagnosing when needed.

We enjoy that many of our clients do not want counseling for years, so often a brief model means people come to us ready to make changes, working in a few sessions to make a shift and get it to stick. We also appreciate working with clients for years when ongoing changes are desired. Obviously, over time life changes and sometimes keeping consistent care can be incredibly beneficial.

 

  • Founder and Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY34159)

    I have been a therapist since my days working at Trader Joe’s. I decided to stop working in the field while bagging groceries and instead begin my journey to become a Clinical Psychologist. I received my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Alliant University.

    I have worked in the field providing counseling to families going through divorce, young adults struggling with severe anxiety and depression using DBT, psychotherapy to those injured at work and most recently employees within the UC Davis Health system.

    I believe we are all capable of change, but sometimes knowing when to implement change and where can be overwhelming and daunting. Often we invalidate ourselves without meaning to and this can create an uncomfortable and less satisfying life. This may be because our environment is not fostering change or we feel backed into a corner.

    As a clinician I strive to be the person on the outside who can help you change what you want. Telling a stranger the details of your life can bring clarity that might otherwise be ignored. Some clients come in knowing exactly what they want out of sessions and sometimes clients need the blank space to figure out which direction to go.

    I am comfortable working in the space of identifying a problem and creating change starting “now” or working to get to the root of why you are doing what you are. I believe that we do not have weaknesses, but we have behaviors that at some point helped keep us safe and are no longer helpful.

    Outside of my work life I enjoy spending time with friends and family. I love gardening and keeping up with my coral reef tank. I have many hobbies which is something I try and model for clients as a healthy work and personal life balance is key and sometimes incredibly hard to create!

  • Founder and Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY34107)

    I was born and raised in Switzerland and moved to the United States in 2012 to start my journey toward earning my doctorate degree in clinical psychology. I earned my Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology in August 2021 from Alliant International University in Sacramento.

    Before moving to the US I completed an apprenticeship as a librarian at the University Library of Bern and spent countless hours reading books. I knew very early on that I wanted to work with people. When starting community college in Sacramento, taking psychology classes I knew I had found my passion.

    Throughout my training I have been able to work with many different populations using different theoretical approaches. I have experience working in a DBT program, facilitating skills groups and individual sessions. While working at two different community mental health programs I had the opportunity of working with individuals from all different walks of life.

    Today, I use a holistic approach while working with clients by combining Cognitive Behavioral, Humanistic and Compassion Focused approaches.

    I believe in a collaborative work space during sessions. I welcome feedback and look forward to interesting exchanges with my clients. Change and learning are lifelong events which can be very exciting but at times also really frightening.

    I have dedicated much of my time educating myself about concerns portraying to the LGBTQIA+ community and I am passionate about working with the community and strive to create a safe space for everyone.

    Since I was in my mid-teens I started turning one of my big passions, horses, into giving back; I enjoy volunteering for a local horse barn providing horseback lessons for individuals with disabilities. When time allows, I enjoy taking my own horseback riding lessons as well.

    In my free time I spend time with my 2 and 4 legged family and friends. I love to travel, and although always partial to flying to Switzerland have had the pleasure to experience many different countries so far.

    I am very much looking forward to meeting you and supporting you to gain insight into your own journey.