About me.
I am a licensed mental health professional who has training, supervision, and clinical experience working with trauma, anxiety and depression. I am committed to helping clients build healthier relationships with themselves and their bodies. My work focuses on talking about painful experiences, reprocessing trauma, and transforming shame-based beliefs to positive cognitions.
I am passionate about creating resources to develop a safe relationship between the mind and body. I believe in meeting emotions with compassion and understanding. If you are interested in scheduling a session with me, please click the link below!
My approach.
I talk casually during sessions so that you’ll feel like we’ve met before. I’ll ask you about what’s been going on and how you’re experiencing it. We'll talk about your weekend, or how far you made it into that project you’ve been wanting to start. I genuinely want to know how you’ve been doing. I’m not afraid to talk about the hard or awkward stuff, and I’m also not afraid to let you know when you’re limiting yourself or doing great and overlooking it.
When you work with me, I help you sort out all of the pieces of your life and how they are interacting. And then we will look at the big picture together. We’ll look the things that are holding you back and create tangible plans to help you move past them. I’ll help you work with your body to learn how to feel, freeing yourself from the pain your body is holding from the past. With small, achievable steps, I’ll help you put all the pieces back together again to form the life you imagine for yourself. One full of freedom, indulgence, joy and fun.
I’d love to work with you.
Credentials
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #120974
Board of Behavioral Sciences
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
National University
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Certificate of Training
EMDR International Association
Personality Disorders Certificate Course: Advanced Diagnosis, Treatment, Mmgt
Gregory W. Lester, PhD
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
CSU Monterey Bay
Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training 200HR RYT
Vrindavan, India Yoga Training Institute
I graduated from National University with a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology. I moved into private practice after three years of work in a dual diagnosis, substance use treatment center.
I am a certified Yoga Instructor who integrates mindfulness and somatic healing into my sessions. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from CSU Monterey Bay. I worked in business, directing operations and managing teams before switching careers to psychology.
I am a dog lover. I enjoy being in nature, being with family and practicing movement of all kinds. I have a trauma history which brought me into the helping profession. I intend to live life wholeheartedly. I believe in the power of feeling feelings and gratitude.