Images by Kathleen Lipinksi

We all face challenges at different times in our lives and relationships. My goal with you is to help you sort it out, clarify what you want and to help you to unfold the skills and the understanding to make it happen. Everyone has room to develop and grow. While the work of therapy is a serious business, it does not have to be intimidating. With warmth, humor and understanding, it can be a mutually positive experience.

My approach to understanding clients and their concerns is based in mutual respect and empathy. We become partners in an effort to enhance your resilience, improve your communication and relationship skills and to help you become a better friend, student, partner or parent. Through a better understanding of the dynamics of your relationships, you will be able to take meaningful steps to repair old relationships or build meaningful new ones.

With years of experience working with clients of all ages and backgrounds, in private practice, outpatient mental health clinics, psychiatric emergency settings and acute care hospitals, I am skilled in addressing a variety of issues. I have vast experience in treating anxiety, depression, trauma and post-traumatic stress, child and parenting issues, divorce, grief and loss, coping with illness and life transitions.

My training has been valuable in approaching a wide range of problems that make me uniquely skilled to deal with the issues my clients face. I have been trained first as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Psychiatry, then as a Marriage and Family Therapist and later I completed a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology where I was trained in a psychodynamic approach. This journey through the fields related to psychology and medicine have provided an in depth understanding of how the body and mind connect, but more importantly how complex the factors are that influence our mental and physical health.

This mind-body approach has been key to my work in my private practice in Marin County as well as in my experience as a Psychiatric Consultant for medical, surgical and pediatric patients. Additionally, I integrate a developmental and relational focused approach that gives me an understanding of the ways in which people connect or don’t connect with others in their lives, across the lifespan. Using this foundation, my aim is to help you improve and enrich your relationships.