About Me

I look forward to introducing myself and sharing the richness of depth psychology with you...

I focus on helping you manifest your best self. Working together, we use the rich resources of your unconscious to support you in creating deeply meaningful changes in your life. I have over thirty years of experience helping clients develop relationships, heal childhood traumas, let go of toxic patterns, and discover meaning in their lives. I conduct individual, couples', parent & child, and group therapy virtually, by phone, or outdoors.

Selected Areas of Specialization

Techniques of Depth Psychology

Depth psychology mines the wealth and creativity of your unconscious to improve the quality of your outer life. Using talk therapy, guided imagery, and dreamwork, we will explore the symbols and archetypal themes that are unique to your life. Through this process, we will tailor therapy to what you're seeking from life and from our time together. The benefits of this work include increased feelings of well-being, greater understanding of self, comfort with challenging feelings, clarified sense of purpose and meaning, greater satisfaction in relationships, and a stronger sense of connection to others and to the natural world.

Psychosynthesis

Psychosynthesis describes an approach to therapy that seeks, in the words of its founder, Roberto Assagioli, "the harmonious integration of the individual into ever larger groups up to the 'one humanity'" (Psychosynthesis, 5). Psychosynthesis represents the culmination of therapy, which moves through four major phases:

                                                                            (Assagioli, Psychosynthesis, 21)

The goal of inner work is to help clients unblock their bottlenecks and learn how to live in partnership with the unconscious rather than at its mercy.                                            -Robert Johnson


We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.                                        - Marcel Proust


In my early professionals years I was asking the question: How can I treat, or cure, or change this person? Now I would phrase the question in this way: How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for his own personal growth?                                                        -Carl Rogers

My Approach

Humanistic

The humanistic method takes a positive view of human nature and emphasizes the uniqueness of the individual. Therapists in this tradition, who are interested in exploring the nature of creativity, love, and self-actualization, help clients realize their potential through change and self-directed growth. Humanistic therapy is also an umbrella term for gestalt, client-centered therapy, and existential therapy.

Psychodynamic

Psychodynamic therapy, also known as insight-oriented therapy, evolved from Freudian psychoanalysis. Like adherents of psychoanalysis, psychodynamic therapists believe that bringing the unconscious into conscious awareness promotes insight and resolves conflict. But psychodynamic therapy is briefer and less intensive than psychoanalysis and also focuses on the relationship between the therapist and the client, as a way to learn about how the client relates to everyone in their life.

Transpersonal

Transpersonal therapy emphasizes the transcendent or spiritual aspects of a client's development. A transpersonal therapist may help the client cultivate a greater sense of connectedness with others, with nature, and with a higher spirit.

Holistic

Holistic psychology explores not only the physical and mental dimensions of life, but also the spiritual, ecological, relational, somatic, mythological, and transpersonal aspects of the psyche. The separation of these dimensions of the whole person can be seen as contributing to the personal, cultural, and planetary crises and pathologies of our time.   ​The therapy journey ​offers a path out of division and alienation into healing and regeneration.  “Holistic” shares word origins with “heal,” “holy,” and “whole.” A holistic psychology is therefore one that respects the complexity, integrity, and multi-dimensionality of the human being.

Values

In my work, I am guided by the seven principles affirmed and promoted by Unitarian Universalist congregations:

I also draw inspiration from sources acknowledged by Unitarian Universalism:

Educational Background

I received my Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Alliant International University, where I was trained in psychoanalytic psychotherapy.  I have been practicing psychotherapy in my Los Angeles private practice since 1980.  

My work in past life regression therapy was strongly influenced by my mother, Winafred Lucas, Ph.D., who was a pioneer theorist, researcher, and practitioner in that field.  I have collaborated with Ron Jue, Ph.D. and Hazel Denning, Ph.D. in their pioneering research and training institutes, which offered intensive regression training to licensed mental health professionals.  Other significant influences on my approach to therapy include training with Psychosynthesis Institute, transformation energy training with Brugh Joy, M.D. and Caroline Conger, Ph.D., and Jungian dream group work with Douglas Thomas, Ph.D.

State Licenses

Memberships

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