I’ve always been fascinated by human behavior and the many ways people navigate life’s challenges. That curiosity about how we think, feel, and heal is what drew me to the study of psychology and eventually to my work as a therapist.

As a child and teenager, I spent a lot of time believing something was wrong with my body. This feeling came from a mix of my own insecurities and the messages I picked up from family, friends, and the culture around me — that becoming thinner meant I would become more worthy and valuable. I started trying to control my weight during middle school, which led to many years of unhealthy eating patterns and a deep sense of inadequacy. No matter what I looked like, I couldn’t feel at ease within myself.

During my graduate program, I had a supervisor who specialized in treating eating disorders. He introduced me to the concepts of diet culture, anti-fat bias, and body diversity, which prompted me to take a deep dive into the broader research on body image and weight stigma. I then began to experience a radical shift in how I viewed my own and others’ bodies. This experience sparked a desire to help others who were struggling with food and body image issues.

In my practice, I draw primarily from psychodynamic therapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), approaches that support deep emotional understanding and lasting change. I strive to offer a warm, collaborative space where clients can explore their emotions and experiences with curiosity and self-compassion.

I am a Licensed Psychologist in the state of California and an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Dominican University of California, where I lead the Body Image and Stigma (BIAS) Research Lab.

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