After graduating with a Major in Latin American Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, I decided to pursue a career in psychology. Oh, by the way, I'm originally from Brazil. In 1993 I received the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology. Initially, as an intern, I worked at drug treatment facilities and community mental health clinics. Along the way, I learned how to assess and treat anxiety and mood disorders, unusual eating patterns, trauma, psychosis, and disorders of attachment. I also had the opportunity to develop a quite diverse clientele, such as the English, Portuguese and Spanish speaking populations, bi-cultural couples, and same sex couples. Licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist by the State of California in 2001, I established my own private practice, with conveniently located offices both in North Oakland and in downtown San Francisco.
Currently, I am a full-time psychotherapist, knowledgeable, experienced, open to the social realities of our times. My approach to treatment is supportive, individualized, and sensitive to the needs of the persons I'm seeing. Although I like to work on a long time basis, so to be able to build genuine trust and safety in relationships with my clients , I also work on shorter terms, if I see it appropriate and productive.