Professional Experience
Counseling Problems:
Men’s Issues
Anger Management
Lying
Not Feeling Emotion
Grief
Premarital and/or Marriage Preparation
Marriage and/or Divorce
Parenting Children with Problematic Behavior(s)
Depression/Anxiety
Christian Spiritual Support
Addiction
Life Transitions
Stress
Suicidal Ideation
Shame
Education:
M.A., Counseling from Phoenix Seminary; Scottsdale, AZ
B.S., Psychology with an Emphasis on Biblical Studies from Grand Canyon University; Phoenix, AZ
Professional Affiliations:
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor #12135 with the California Board of Behavioral Science
New Professional Member with American Counseling Association, Member ID: 6482034
Affiliate Member with San Diego Psychological Association
Professional Training:
Gottman Method Couples Therapy Clinical Training 1: Bridging the Couple Chasm
Gottman Method Couples Therapy Clinical Training 2: Assessment, Intervention & Co-Morbidities
Gottman Method for Couple’s Therapy Clinical Training 3: Practicum Training
Gottman 7 Principles Trained Facilitator; Seattle, WA
Gottman Treating Affairs and Trauma
Gottman Couples in Addiction and Recovery
40-Hour Advanced Grief Training @ The Elizabeth Hospice; San Diego, CA
Sites:
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor at EmotionFit; Encinitas, CA
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor at Panganiban Therapy, Inc.; San Diego, CA
Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor at EmotionFit; Encinitas, CA
Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor at Panganiban Therapy, Inc.; San Diego, CA
Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor at The Center for Enriching Relationships; San Diego, CA
Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor at The Elizabeth Hospice; San Diego, CA
Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor at Point Loma Nazarene University; San Diego, CA
Graduate Counseling Intern at Scottsdale Bible Church Counseling Ministry; Scottsdale, AZ
What does counseling look like?
Individual Counseling
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is especially useful with depression and anxiety. CBT focuses on understanding thought patterns, beliefs and motivations that drive human experience. When these thoughts, beliefs and motivations are not helpful, they are challenged and assessed to see how realistic and truthful they are with the ultimate benefit of understanding the problem and the human response to the problem. Together, the thought is identified, evaluated and reconsidered to yield a healthier perspective that is both accurate and healthy. CBT is inherently solution focused and real because the motivation to find healthier ways of thinking and feeling are focus points of the theory. Homework assignments or activities done in counseling are focused and directly related to counseling goals.
An example of CBT at work, would be when your boss calls you into the office. What goes through your mind? Is it, “My boss is finally giving me the raise that I deserve because of my outstanding work performance”, or “Oh no, what did I do wrong; what could my boss possibly want from me today?”. Both the ultra positive view and the overly anxious view could be wrong, but through evaluating the situation, past evidence and reasons why these specific thoughts came and not others, change is prompted to take place and a more balanced and accurate view. This balanced and accurate view could look like, when your boss calls you into the office, you take a deep breath and intentionally redirect from the extremes to, “I wonder what my boss wants to talk to me about today?”.
Couples/Relationship Counseling
The Gottman Method for Couples Therapy is based off of the findings of Seattle Researchers, Drs. John and Julie Gottman. The Gottman’s researched and observed thousands of couples since the 1970’s and continues to this day. The research focuses on what makes relationships succeed or fail. In fact, the results of the research can predict with 96% accuracy which newlyweds will get divorced in the immediate future. This prediction is based on nine main characteristics of the Gottman’s relationship research. The good news is that I have direct and impactful interventions to improve the areas that you as a couple need help with.
The method is designed to help teach specific tools to deepen friendship and intimacy in your relationship. To help you productively manage conflicts, you will be given methods and to manage resolvable problems and dialogue about gridlocked (perpetual) issues. We will also work together to help you appreciate your relationship’s strengths and to gently navigate through its vulnerabilities.
If you and your significant other are committed to making your relationship better, this type of therapy strengthens the relationship by improving conflict management, communication, friendship, emotional connection, and intimacy.
If you and your significant other are not sure about the future of your relationship, I can assist you with relationship discernment counseling.
You can find out more about the Gottman Method, their research findings, or how to participate in a training or relationship study on their website.
Gottman method in therapy
Gottman Method Couples Therapy Consists of Five Parts:
Assessment
Treatment
Out of Therapy
Termination
Outcome Evaluation
assessment
The first three hours we will be assessing the problem areas of the relationship jointly and in a solo session. To save you time and money, you will fill out an in depth questionnaire at home. Here is a PDF download with more information about the Gottman Connect Relationship Check Up.
In the next session, I will meet with each of you individually to learn your personal histories and to give each of you the opportunity to share thoughts, feelings and perceptions. In the final session of assessment, I will share with you my recommendations for treatment and with to define a mutually agreed-upon goals for your therapy
treatment
Most of the work will involve sessions in which you will be seen together as a couple. However, there may be times when individual sessions are recommended. I may also give you exercises to practice between sessions to practice at home. We will work on repairing past hurts, getting to know each other again, staying positive during conflict and reviving mutual dreams for your shared future together.
The length of therapy will be determined by your specific needs and goals. In the course of therapy, we will establish points at which to evaluate your satisfaction and progress. Also, I will encourage you to raise any questions or concerns that you have about therapy at any time.
out of therapy + Termination
In the later stage of therapy, we will phase out or meet less frequently in order for you to test out your new relationship skills and to prepare for termination of the therapy. Although you may wish to terminate therapy whenever you wish, it is most helpful to have at least one session together to summarize progress, define the work that remains to be done, and to say goodbye.
Outcome Evaluation
In the outcome-evaluation phase, as pter the Gottman Method, four follow up sessions are planned: one after six months, one after 12 months, one after 18 months, and one after 2 years. These sessions have been shown through research to significantly decrease the chances of relapse into previous, unhelpful patterns. In addition, commitment to providing the best therapy possible requires ongoing evaluation of methods used and Client progress. The purpose of these follow-up sessions then will be to fine-tune any of your relationship skills if needed and to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy received.
Assessment and fees
session 1:
Intake Interviews, 90 minutes, $300*
Gottman Connect Relationship Check Up, $39 (total one time fee for both check up assessments and the re-test at termination)
Session 2:
Individual Interviews, 45 minutes per person = 90 minutes total, $300*
Session 3:
Treatment Planning + Assessment Results, 45 minutes to 90 minutes, $150-$300*
*I occasionally can accommodate sliding scale appointments based on availability; if you want more information, ask and share your financial restraints with me to get started.
*I do not accept insurance; I would be happy to offer you copies of your receipts for you to take to your insurance provider for reimbursement as an out of network provider.