About

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I was cleaning my kitchen one sunny afternoon listening passively to Heiromonk Fr. Seraphim Aldea when he dropped the work "metanoia' in a statement about heart-level repentance and turning towards Christ. I instantly knew it related to my practice and the ministry God has given me. "Metanoia" is the Greek word meaning to radically change one's mind, heart, or life as in a spiritual transformation. This word beautifully captures the purpose of my work which is to serve the Orthodox community in a way that honors the transformative journey unto salvation. We are both "arrived" and "not yet" when it comes to many promises in Scripture, and having a perspective that honors the beauty in the transformation acknowledges that while where we are headed is dazzling, where we are today is invaluable.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Clinical Supervisor who is licensed to practice psychotherapy in the state of California (#127890). The heart of my work is to serve others by helping them find peace, joy, hope, and healing through ownership of personal responsibility and refocusing their energies on what is in their control.  Many unfortunate things in life happen TO us and can leave us devastated in their wake. But, that doesn't have to be the end of the story. Anxiety and depression thrive where there is no sense of hope or personal power. I can help you make changes in the way you think and feel about circumstances to restore senses of peace and safety. 

I also have a passion for guiding folks in fostering an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.  Jesus is not a distant God attached to cold theology. While I don’t profess to be a trained theologian, (there are folks you can talk to about that!) many of our mental and emotional issues become spiritual ones as we struggle to know where God is in the midst of our struggles, past or present. Without judgment, I can help you navigate difficult questions about faith and where to anchor your soul’s sense of wellness and security. 

As an Orthodox Christian, I am interested in a holistic approach to pursuing wellness and utilizing the rich resources within the Orthodox Church.  Having grown up loving and thriving in the Evangelical Christian sphere, I was taken by the rich resources within the Orthodox Church that I simply had never even known existed. While I always revered Scripture (the Bible) as God’s Word, the Orthodox Church humbly yet boldly presents resources for those in Her care: Sacraments and Tradition that guide and heal. Every aspect of the human experience—mind, heart, taste, touch, sight, etc.--was met within the Church as it had been since Christ’s ascension. The view of sin and wellness also helped create understanding for my mission as a therapist: to help foster people towards wellness, knowing it is less of a destination and more about the journey towards salvation. 

My work with Orthodox Christians may include recommending prayers, discussions from examples of lives of saints, encouraging them to consult with their spiritual father/mother for specific needs, and navigating the application of faith to difficult matters in real life, to name a few. Those who are Christian but not of the Orthodox Faith do not have to have any of these practices as part of their therapy experience. 

If you are unfamiliar with Eastern Orthodox Christianity, I encourage you to check out this less than 3-minute video for a modest introduction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95P744siC7U 

For further reading on beliefs of Orthodox Christians please visit this article: https://holy12.org/orthodox-christianity/

Learn more about St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church's mission to support marriages and families in the Roseville and larger community: https://www.saintanna.org/metropolis-shrine