I believe that the mind and the body are connected in an inseparable bond—mental and physical health are deeply intertwined, and providers cannot treat one aspect successfully without treating the whole. As the practice manager at Sun Psychiatry, I ensure that all patients are supported and connected both to their providers and to reliable, caring staff who act in their best interests. 

My formal education began at California State University, Long Beach, where I majored in Psychology and minored in Disability Rights. I subsequently attended California School of Professional Psychology San Diego, earning a master’s in Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. I continued my professional development by completing the associate’s program for drug and alcohol counseling at Santa Barbara City College. While at SBCC, I also became certified in medical coding and billing to better understand and advocate for individuals with psychiatric care needs.  

Most recently, I worked at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in psychiatric services for more than seven years. Originally hired as the admissions facilitator at the Residential Treatment Center for Chemical Dependency, I soon moved to the Inpatient Acute Care unit to take on the roles of admissions facilitator and case manager. Before that, I participated in innovative work in the development of autism treatment, worked for Child Protective Services, and held adjunct professor of Psychology positions in both California and Colorado.

Every step of my academic and professional experience has galvanized my dedication to providing access to the best possible mental health services. As a native of Santa Barbara and the mother of a child, I have worked within and received care from the health care apparatus in Santa Barbara. As a result, I am intimately aware of both its resources and its challenges. 

I am grateful for the opportunity to work at Sun Psychiatry, an organization with a mission dedicated to holistic treatment, where I can apply my skills and experience to supporting, serving, and advocating for those in need.