about
Hi, I’m DINA. i’m glad you’re here.
The search for identity, purpose, and sometimes motivation, can be difficult and exhausting to navigate alone. Without proper support, we may flail, feel overwhelmed, lose our sense of self, or even forget who we are. Adolescents and young adults are constantly growing and evolving. These years of our lives are foundational to who we are, and it’s vital that we receive the support we need in order to carve the path that feels most authentic to us.
I find that individuals in this age group are at a nexus in their lives where the therapeutic relationship can be life-changing; they begin to assert their own autonomy to create real change for themselves while still being supported by their various support networks. As a therapist who works with this population, I find it essential to consider the greater system in which my client lives and to coordinate care with these various support networks. This may look like including the client’s family or other primary relationships in their treatment. I believe that the most effective and powerful therapy results from treating the client holistically and considering all of the different relationships and environments in the client’s life.
clinical background
I have over a decade of experience working with adolescents, young adults, and their families. I received the bulk of my training working with adolescents whose mental health precludes their ability to be successful in school. It was within this capacity that I developed my particular lens. Clinically steeped in CBT and DBT, my practice is aimed at looking at the whole person and supporting them through to the next step as they define it.
my approach
I offer a warm and relaxed approach to therapy. As a humanistic practitioner, I remain present with my clients and customize the therapy to meet their unique needs. It is my belief that the therapeutic relationship is most important to the success of therapy. I connect with my clients around their interests and use their identified strengths to support them in areas they’re struggling. Through our work together, my clients become more creative in solving problems and better able to wield their own personal power.
In addition to my education and training, I am a first-generation Greek-American woman. I intimately understand the struggles of being in an immigrant family in the United States, and I value conversations on the difficulties of assimilation and acculturation. My experience as a first-generation immigrant informs my work with a layer of cultural sensitivity and awareness that is often difficult to find in this field.
I also work with members of the LGBTQIA+ community and strive to provide gender and sexuality-affirming care.
Education
I received my Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Psychology with a minor in Applied Developmental Psychology at UCLA in 2005.
I received my Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Marriage and Family Counseling at Pacific Oaks College in 2009.
Trainings & Certifications
Trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in 2012.
Trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) at University of Washington with Marsha Linehan in 2016.
Trained and certified in On-Site Crisis Communication Counseling in 2021.
Trained and certified in Best Practices in Disruptive Event Management for in the Workplace in 2021.
Trained in positive parenting and offers parenting classes and seminars.
Additional Qualifications:
Authored and published a dissertation entitled “The Influence of Non-Familial Male Role Models on Boys From Single Mother-Headed Homes.”
Affiliations:
CAMFT - East Bay CAMFT
UCLA Alumni Association
Pacific Oaks College Alumni Association
Greek Orthodox Diocese of America