My Story
As a native San Diegan with ancestry originating in Southern California, I feel a strong connection to the area and community. An early found passion for theatre and the performing arts led me to obtain my Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with a minor in Dance at the University of California -- San Diego (where I graduated cum laude in 2002.) My fascination with the human body and love of people led me to study massage therapy at the International Professional School of Bodywork (IPSB) which resulted in my becoming a licensed massage therapist in 2004. I have been a practicing massage therapist ever since. A life-long learner, I decided to challenge myself and deepen my understanding of the body by enrolling in the vigorous acupuncture program at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM) after several years of a private practice in massage therapy. In May 2013 I obtained my Master’s of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine and was licensed to practice in the state of California in October of the same year. In addition to treating patients in my private practice I have seen hundreds of Worker's Comp patients through my work at Concentra Health (previously U.S. Healthworks) since 2016 helping me better understand pain management and orthopedic conditions.
I enjoy film, travel, dance, yoga, and spending time with my cats and plants. I watch way more television than I would like to admit.
My Approach
I most often treat my patients in a Japanese Meridian Therapy style which tends to be a more gentle style using fewer needles, more shallow insertion of needles, the incorporation of both a front and back treatment and the use of moxibustion. As I have been practicing massage therapy since 2004 I often incorporate massage into my treatments and also offer full massage sessions as well. Having a strong interest in herbal medicine, I often incorporate Chinese herbal formulas as an adjunct to my acupuncture treatments. I see myself as your collaborator in well being and look forward to supporting you through your process of healing whether it’s dealing with a long-standing condition, preventing a disease or anything in between.
​
Having a very thorough understanding of the human body, I am as comfortable treating musculoskeletal issues as I am psycho-emotional issues. My internships through PCOM gave me valuable experience working with Addiction at the Family Recovery Center in Oceanside, Gerontology at the downtown Seniors Clinic and Oncology at the San Diego Cancer Center. My private practice since 2013 has evolved to include the treatment of conditions as diverse as the patients that come to see me including anxiety/depression, pain management, gastrointestinal issues, gynecological issues, and autoimmune disease.