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Tri-Valley Psychotherapy
4713 1st Street, Suite 242
Pleasanton, CA 94566
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Phone: 925-523-1397
Fax: 925-524-2247

Daytime, Evening & Weekend Hours Available

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Explore Personal Growth

“What a liberation it is to realize that the “voice in my head” is not who I am. Who am I then? The one who sees that.” -Eckhart Tolle

I'm the founder and psychologist at Tri-Valley Psychotherapy. Below you will find answers to questions about my approach, practice, theoretical orientation, and personal experiences.


My Approach to Helping

Unlike traditional therapy that focuses on the past, I help my clients focus on the present and take action to change unproductive thought patterns, manage their emotions, and modify unhealthy habits.

With over 20 years experience blending mindfulness with cognitive-behavioral therapy, I will help you take control of your mind rather than allowing your mind take control of you by dwelling on negative thoughts and emotions.

I have found mindfulness based cognitive-behavioral therapy to be the most effective form of therapy for my clients.

Learning to find the "off button" in your mind, no longer reacting to every thought and feeling that goes through your mind, and learning to laugh at the voice in your head is priceless.

Clients can receive coaching (face-to-face or virtually) in the following areas:
  • Mindfulness "Strategies for taking hold of the mind."
  • Emotion Regulation
  • Distress Tolerance
  • Self Compassion
  • Self Awareness "Breaking free from unhelpful habits and patterns."
  • Self Motivation "Improving organization and focus in the age of distraction."
  • Interpersonal Effectiveness "Staying calm with difficult people and improving communication."
  • ...and more depending on their needs.

More Info About My Practice

I am a frequent guest on local TV where I provide self-help advice to nearly 200,000 viewers and I am grateful to have been interviewed 14 times. With nearly 10,000 followers on my blog and thousands of views to my articles, I share ways to lead a happier and healthier life. I am also an international speaker and published author on work-life balance, and hold a Dual PhD in Clinical Psychology and Industrial-Organizational Psychology. My training in business has served my clients well as I consider how workplace issues impact their daily lives, and give them the tools to better manage the workplace.

Theoretical Influences that Guide My Work

My work is influenced by Thich Nhat Hanh, one of the most respected Zen masters in the world, Eckart Tolle, author of The Power of Now and A New Earth, Victor Fankl, a concentration camp survivor and author of Man's Search for Meaning, and Joyce Meyer, adult survivor of severe child sexual abuse and author of Battlefield of the Mind. I am also influenced by the work of Timothy Ferris, entrepreneur and best selling author of The 4 Hour Work Week.

How My Own Struggles Made Me a Better Therapist

As a clinical psychologist who worked in two State Prisons, I was exposed to a world that most of us can never imagine. Violence and criminality, oppression, cruelty and abuse was a world I spent between 40 - 60 hours a week in for 5 years. The exposure to prison changed me but ONLY for the positive. It is during this time, I began aggressively practicing mindfulness and Zen meditation on a daily basis in order to combat the negativity of prison. I found a deep sense of inner peace within a chaotic and uncertain situation. I now teach clients to find that peace, stability, and calm regardless of their circumstances.

Although I have accomplished a great deal in my life, I have faced many challenges. My drive to get help, speak out, and persist though these challenges is what helped me accomplish my goals, stay grounded, and find true happiness. Keeping a positive attitude in the face of adversity is critical. But finding peace in suffering is even more important and allows for incredible personal growth.

My Hobbies and Interests

Like many of my clients, I am a night owl but having a child changed that. However, I love staying up late and walking at night. It is so peaceful.

Music is a major part of my life and I enjoy playing my acoustic guitar and singing.

I also enjoy cooking and developing healthy recipes. In 2007 and 2010, I taught a year long series of cooking classes at Whole Foods Market and Sur La Table.

Women's rights in the workplace is a passion of mine. I have been a member of the National Association of Working Women since 2006.

Mindfulness Inspired Support Groups

Mindful Eating
Based on my popular seminars on Mindful Eating attended by hundreds, this intensive 6 week workshop will discuss how to apply the techniques of mindfulness to eating; how to differentiate biological urges for food vs. emotional urges; and how to consistently eat small portions and maintain your ideal weight or set point.

Mindfulness in Everyday Life
Mindfulness in Everyday Life teaches us that meditation isn't about sitting with our eyes closed. It's about using our everyday stressful, annoying, anxiety provoking, or mundane experiences as an opportunity to connect with our mind and body, and to find inner peace. This weekly support group inspires participants to put into practice the life changing principles of renowned Zen master and best selling author, Thich Nhat Hanh.


Practicing the Power of Now
If you are passionate about putting the principles from the "Power of Now" into practice, this support group is perfect for you. Based on the best selling book by Eckhart Tolle, this weekly support group will help participants put Eckhart's life changing principles into practice in their daily lives. Practicing the power of now takes work and having a supportive group of like minded individuals to help you through the process is critical.