Intimate Partner Violence Therapy (Domestic Violence)

When living in an abusive relationship, sometimes we can lose ourselves. We spend so much time "people pleasing", walking on eggshells and trying to stay safe. We care for others, (our abusive partner or our children) but we forget to take care of ourselves. 

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is cyclical. It can get better (honeymoon phase), then gets worse (much worse) and it can go on for years, each year tearing you apart even more...leaving you just a shell of who you once were.  Let me help you find yourself.  You deserve kind and healthy love from your partner. Together, we can help create real safety with you, in various areas of your life. This is the first step to transforming  your life.

You have the power to rediscover who you are and thrive in ways you may not even be able to imagine right now.  

Trust me to collaborate with you and  provide you evidenced based resources, safety planning, individual trauma therapy, empowerment and a safe place to heal and grow, from an expert in the field.

I  have been working with the intimate partner violence populations throughout my entire career. Before starting graduate school, I volunteered helping victims of violence in 2007.  I chaired VOICES Survivor Network and became a source of hope and inspiration to women, children and teens struggling with violence in their homes.

 During my time at VOICES, I focused on media and breaking the silence in domestic violence, as I noticed many women were isolated  and did not know services existed to help them (especially Spanish services), and no-one was talking about it. I set out to reduce the shame,  blame, and stigma associated with being a victim of violence. To place the blame where it actually belongs... on the perpetrator of abuse.  I made it my mission to empower others and help them to reach their highest potential.

I have a personal and professional passion for helping victims of violence. I sought out a Doctorate, specifically to continue working with victims -but in a deeper and more clinical way. In my doctoral practicum placement, I provided individual child, adult and group therapy in both English and in Spanish, for monolingual Spanish speakers. I was honored to watch women's lives change and grow and they never looked back after that!

I have  also taught classes and seminars at several universities on overcoming trauma and have  provided services to at risk youth and a variety of prevention agencies within the community of San Diego.  I have been included in educational documentary tools for prosecutors, judges and forensic staff in the field of violence and have worked with child survivors of abuse in camp settings providing hope and healing. 

I have been featured in "Glamour" and "Shine" Magazine and have many media and television appearances including: SHADES of San Diego, The San Diego Insider, Fox TV5: San Diego's Most Wanted: FBI Files.  

I have been honored as a guest and keynote speaker at various international conferences. I also received special recognition in my Doctoral Commencement Ceremony, for my work with families affected by trauma and violence.  After earning my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, I have continued working with disparate populations affected by violence and helping women and children cope with trauma from violence in their home.

Needless to say, I have the expertise to help you and truly, truly understand the courage and strength it takes to thrive, despite difficult circumstances.

I believe in the power of resilience, perseverance and tenacity to overcome obstacles. I am so honored to help you along this journey.