​

Education & Specialized Training 

• Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, #148962

• MA, Marriage and Family Therapy – Touro University Worldwide

• MA, Human Development & Social Change – Pacific Oaks College

• Certified Life Coach (BCC) – Institute for Life Coach Training (ILCT)

• Gottman Level 1, EMDR, Brainspotting, IFS, Comprehensive Resource Model (CRM)

• Specialized Training in ADHD Assessments

• Supervised by Dr. Harry Motro, LMFT #53452

• Employed by New Path Family of Therapy Centers
   

Lived Experience: Navigating Divorce, Co-Parenting & Blending Families

Blending a family is one of the most complex emotional and logistical challenges a couple can take on.

I know this firsthand—not just as a therapist but as someone who has been through divorce, co-parenting, and creating a new family structure.
 

I’ve been with my autistic partner for 21 years, and together we are raising four neurodivergent children, ages 6 to 30. Our family is a blend of different needs, different parenting styles, and different life experiences, and I understand both the deep rewards and the very real struggles that come with merging households and navigating stepfamily relationships.
 

Blending families isn’t just about logistics—it’s about managing emotions, fostering connection, and finding ways to make a complex family system work for everyone involved.

​

Helping Parents Find Common Ground

One of the biggest challenges in blended families is reconciling different parenting styles. You and your partner may have:
 

• Different ideas about discipline, routines, and responsibilities
   

• Different emotional connections with biological and stepchildren
   

• Unspoken expectations that lead to resentment or frustration
   

I help couples:
 

• Identify parenting priorities that work for both partners
   

• Develop clear and fair discipline approaches
   

• Navigate the emotions that come with parenting children who aren’t biologically theirs
   

• Find ways to support each other as co-parents instead of getting stuck in conflict
   

You and your partner don’t have to agree on everything, but you do need to work together as a team—and I can help you build that foundation.

 

Strengthening the Couple’s Relationship Amidst Family Pressures

Blending a family puts a lot of pressure on a relationship.

Many couples find that romantic connection takes a backseat as parenting, conflict resolution, and logistics take over.
 

I help couples:
 

• Prioritize their relationship while managing family stress
   

• Develop strong communication strategies to navigate conflict
   

• Find ways to reconnect as partners—not just co-parents
   

Your relationship is the foundation of your blended family. When your connection is strong, the family dynamic becomes stronger, too.
 

Final Thoughts & How to Get Started 🌱

Blending a family isn’t about forcing instant harmony or pretending everything is perfect.
 

It’s about:

• Building trust and connection over time
   

• Developing realistic expectations instead of idealized ones
   

• Creating an environment where every family member feels safe and valued
   

If you’re ready to:

• Strengthen your relationship as a couple while navigating blended family stress
   

• Create smoother transitions for children adjusting to a new family structure
   

• Develop healthy co-parenting and stepfamily dynamics

​

I'd love to support you on your journey!