About Bonnie

  I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), specializing in individual, family and couples therapy.  I have 15 years of experience in practice and hold a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco, as well as a Bachelors Degree in Sociology and Applied Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. 

   My practice consists of working with teens, adults, families and couples with problems ranging from situational stressors and mild concerns, to severe issues and crisis.   In addition to general practice, I specialize in working with people who have experienced trauma that is causing disruption in their daily functioning.  I work individually with the client and/or together with the family unit/couple to promote systematic change, growth and understanding.   My client population ranges from age 11 years to well into adulthood.  

  My 15 years of experience includes time in private practice  alongside working in school settings with high schoolers experiencing depression, anxiety, peer pressure, drug issues, familial conflict, educational struggles and suicidal ideation and/or self harm issues.  I have also volunteered working with the National Suicide Hotline.

  Psychotherapy can provide a client with the insight, confidence and the tools for improving their life and relationships. People seek out therapy when they have reached a point in which their current ways of coping with past and/or current stressors are no longer working for them. I believe that the ability to provide a person with a safe space where they feel heard, understood and cared for is crucial to their self growth and resolution of their issues.  I work with the client in creating a personalized approach to achieving their goals for therapy to allow them to live the life they feel is more satisfying and holds healthy, connected relationships. Therapy is an opportunity to work with the therapist in developing an optimistic, empowered sense of self to foster resolution and understanding to change ineffective ways of behaving and thinking that is holding one back from the living the life they find most fulfilling.  I utilize a client centered, solution focused, cognitive behavioral approach to treatment mixed with humor to support the client through the therapeutic process to foster the greatest opportunity for healing and lasting change.  Most of my clients report feeling an alleviation of presenting symptoms after one month of therapy with continued improvement as they carry on through their journey of self awareness and discovery.

   When I am not practicing therapy, I am usually found at the beach searching tide pools with my toddler, husband and dog or exploring every coffee shop in a 20 mile radius to find the best cappuccino.