Therapy allows us to celebrate, grieve, and reflect on our past, present, and future. I aim to create a space where you can comfortably and openly explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences.

My therapeutic approach is

• Attachment-based – We notice how your past relationships can influence your present-day interactions. We can use this information to help guide your current relationships.

• Multicultural – We acknowledge the cultures and history that make you who you are. We can learn how this may impact your pain, joy, and healing.

• Somatically Mindful – We can explore and manage your emotional experiences by bringing awareness to your body and physical sensations.

• Anti-oppressive – We recognize the ways that social inequalities and power imbalances may affect your well-being.  We can combat this by developing strategies to cope and heal.

• Creative & Collaborative – Everyone's therapeutic goals and preferences are different– so our sessions are tailored to you. As a team, you and I can build a personal toolkit of skills and resources that help enhance your comfort and quality of life. 

Columbia University 

Master of Science in Social Work - 2023

University of California, Irvine

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Behavior - 2019

Certified Healthy Relationships Peer Educator, Laura's House

Certified Sexual Health Peer Educator, Planned Parenthood

48-Hour Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention Training, Waymakers

200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training, Corepower Yoga

How to engage youth in prevention, Planned Parenthood and Waymakers Virtual Series: “The Preventionist Roundtable," December 2022

'Coming out’ is a perpetual process, UC Irvine’s Human Sexuality LGBTQ+ Virtual Panel, June 2021

Supporting pre-teens, teens, and young adults during social isolation, Laura’s House Virtual Webinar: “Impacts of Social Isolation on Teens & How to Support our Youth," May 2021

The importance of promoting healthy relationships and domestic violence awareness in high schools, Laura’s House Brighter Futures Luncheon, May 2019

• What makes a healthy sexual experience?

• Sexual arousal and sexual identity formation

• Using an intersectional lens: What can domestic violence look like? 

• What to do when someone tells you they are being abused by their intimate partner

P0rn Generation  [Series]

• Representation & The Male Gaze

• Social Learning Theory

• Anti-P0rn vs. Anti-Censorship Arguments

• Racial Expectations & Experiences

• Queer Expectations & Experiences

• P0rn Addiction

• P0rn Literacy Education

"The conversation about consent was important and empowering because I used to be scared to say no because I didn't want to hurt his feelings. But my comfort matters."

"Thank you for validating everyone's input and opinions and making the classroom feel like a safe place."

"I enjoyed the topic [of healthy sexual experiences] because I believe there is not a lot of awareness on this topic. I think Ava did a great job in making it comfortable for everyone."