My Background

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I have worked with people all over the continuum of mental health and illness for over 15 years.  I studied psychology at UC Berkeley and California School of Professional Psychology, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy at IPI (Integrative Psychiatry Institute).  My training and work experiences include mental health services provided at various San Francisco/Bay Area, California, private practice clinics, community and university clinics, schools, and clients' homes.  I have trained/worked at Richmond Area Multi-Services (RAMS, inc.), Institute on Aging (IOA), Women's Therapy Center in Berkeley, Lomi Psychotherapy Clinic,  and University of San Francisco (USF). 

I have extensive experience in research; psychodiagnostic, neuropsychological, and psychoeducational assessments/evaluations; consultation; and psychotherapy.  Having worn those hats has helped me to develop a holistic approach.  By ‘holistic’, I mean that in treatment, I like to work with all relevant parts of a person’s life:  their mind, body, context, history, culture, etc.  I like to consider the entire person, not just their current mental health, and highly recommend that people consult with their physicians to rule out any possible medical ailments that could mask as mental health issues (e.g., according to research studies, microbiome imbalance and vitamin deficiencies can  significantly impact energy levels, mood, etc.). 

In addition to the areas listed under my specialties, I have extensive training in: psychedelics;  issues related to race, ethnicity, culture, spirituality, and religion; older adult and adolescent issues; lifespan/developmental cycles; neuropsychology and traumatic brain injury (TBI); immigration/relocation and culture/sub-subculture clashes; LGBTQ+, consensual non-monogamy, and fluidity of sexual and gender identities; veterans issues; undergraduate and graduate student issues, and working within school and mental health systems.

I am able to provide services in English and/or Russian.