I've made a career out of changing the rules. I believe strongly that the rules and roles that govern our lives can and should be changed to help us do better, in our relationships and in our professional lives. I apply the same systemic principles in my counseling work for couples that I do in my advocacy work for therapists, and they can be summed up pretty easily: If the rules aren't working for you, change them.

Counseling

I am currently accepting new clients by referral only. If you are interested in counseling, please consider Darren Hummel, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist under my supervision, or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists April Kujawa and Gabrielle Moore.

My office is conveniently located on Wilshire Boulevard near the Miracle Mile area.

Advocacy

I've spent most of the past 10 years as the Legislative and Advocacy Committee Chair for AAMFT-California. In that time I'm proud to say I've been personally involved in a number of changes to state law that are good for therapists and the communities we serve:

  • California's first-in-the-nation ban on reparative therapy for minors
  • Streamlining hours of experience for licensure
  • Changing the "Intern" title to "Associate" for prelicensed therapists with graduate degrees

Writing

My books educate therapists about the rules that govern our work, and the role each of us can play in shaping them. Basics of California Law for LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs is a textbook used at graduate schools around the state, and a desk reference used by clinicians at all career stages. Saving Psychotherapy speaks to the larger headwinds we face as professionals in a world where fewer people are going to therapy, and the cost of becoming a therapist is continuing to grow. And my exam prep library helps clinicians get through their exams as easily and inexpensively as possible.

I've also served as editor for the User's Guide to the 2015 AAMFT Code of Ethics, and have a number of book chapters and academic journal articles in print.

Presenting

I've given more than 100 talks at workshops and conferences all over the country. I'll be presenting this fall at the AAMFT Annual Conference in Lexington, Kentucky.