What license do you hold?

I am licensed by the State of California's Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). My license number is LCS 24952.

What is an LCSW?

To obtain the LCSW license one must have a Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited educational institution and receive 3200 hours of supervised, post-degree clinical work often accrued over a 2-3 year period. Social workers seek clinical supervision from licensed clinical social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists.

Upon approval by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), applicants are required to sit for and pass two (2) qualifying State licensing exams. Upon completion of these requirements, an individual is granted the license of LCSW.

What is clinical social work?

As defined by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) the practice of clinical social work is "a service in which a special knowledge of social resources, human capabilities, and the part that unconscious motivation plays in determining behavior, is directed at helping people to achieve more adequate, satisfying, and productive social adjustments."

Clinical social work includes but is not restricted to: applied psychotherapy of a non-medical nature, assessment, treatment planning, diagnosis, resource coordination/referral and case management, and conducting research related to social work.

What is psychotherapy?

As defined by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), "Psychotherapy is the use of psychosocial methods within a professional relationship, to assist the person(s) to achieve a better psychosocial adaptation, to acquire greater human realization of psychosocial potential and adaptation, to modify internal and external conditions which affect individuals, groups, or communities in respect to behavior, emotions, and thinking, in respect to their intrapersonal and interpersonal processes."

Do all clinical social workers work in social service agencies?

Clinical social workers work in a variety of settings including, but not limited to: public schools, social service agencies, outpatient clinics, inpatient psychiatric units, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, college and university counseling centers and private practice. Many non-clinical social workers are employed by legislative bodies including government agencies and social policy institutes.

I thought only marriage and family therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists could practice psychotherapy.

Many people don't realize that social workers provide more psychotherapy than any other discipline in the United States. Social workers are educated and trained to work in a variety of settings and with diverse populations. Informed by a "Person-in-Environment" perspective and an ethical committment to enhancing an individual's self-determination, social workers seek to understand individuals within a broader social and cultural context. That means that social workers are experts at coordinating care for individuals and systems and are able to identify adjunctive resources when individuals have multiple or competing needs.

Do you have a theoretical orientation that guides your work?

I was educated in psychodynamic psychotherapy. This orientation seeks to understand how individuals are shaped by past experiences and the ways in which internal forces (emotions, wishes, fears) inform actions, beliefs and relationships in the present. I have received further training and specialize in the practice of contemporary psychoanalytic psychotherapy, a clinical practice that engages in a deeper, slower exploration of an individual's internal challenges. This approach works to address root challenges, and can lead to longer-lasting changes.

Within the psychodynamic tradition, I practice from a relational stance meaning the relationship between therapist and patient is key to the psychotherapeutic process. I have also received post-graduate training in providing behavioral therapies (CBT, DBT) and mindfulness approaches.

What other relevant experiences do you have?

In addition to clinical practice, I am affiliated with local, national and international organizations focused on psychology, mental health and social work research, practice and education. I bring post-graduate studies in mindfulness and body-centered practices to my work with patients when relevant. Prior to becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I was a California State-Certified Sexual Asssault Counselor in both Southern California and the Bay Area, providing in-person advocacy, direct accompaniment to medical visits, and psychological support to sexual assault survivors and their families.

Committted to educating the next generation of mental health professionals, I have served as a consultant and research advisor to graduate students, and provide mentorship to early career therapists. I have presented clinical papers at conferences within the United States and stay active and informed of best practices within my field by regularly attending conferences, trainings, and lectures. I also enjoy developing and presenting trainings/educational workshops on issues related to gender, body, healthy eating and psychotherapy to the lay public at Bay Area educational institutions and non-profits.

Do you prescribe medications?

I am trained and licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and provide psychotherapy and clinical case management services. I do not prescribe psychiatric medications, but have a sound working knowledge of them. I am experienced in working closely with physicians, psychiatrists and nurse practitioners as a standard part of providing comprehensive care to patients. I work fluently with patients' existing prescribing medical providers, and can provide referrals for a medication or medical evaluation when/if necessary.