My own need for real change is what ultimately led me to this work. For a long time, I had drifted away from my true self without fully realizing it. Gradually, I began to recognize that the path I was on wasn’t aligned with who I was—it was creating a quiet but significant sense of pain in my life. The ways I had learned to cope with discomfort were no longer working, and without them, I found myself asking a deeper question: Who am I, really?

That question became a turning point. It led me through a series of meaningful life transitions and, eventually, into becoming a therapist.

Along the way, I found grounding in simple but powerful practices—spending time in nature, moving my body, and the clarity and joy I experience while surfing. These continue to be essential parts of my life, helping me stay connected, present, and aligned with what matters most.

I earned my degree in Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), an institution known for its whole-person, integrative, and depth-oriented approach to psychotherapy. CIIS doesn’t just teach clinical techniques—it encourages a deeper exploration of the human experience, including the emotional, relational, and unconscious layers that shape our lives.

I chose this training because it resonated with my own journey, and it continues to inform the lens I bring into my work today.