Integrative Behavioral Health (IBH) is a patient-centered approach in which health practitioners work together to treat the whole person, combining physical, mental, and substance use health with lifestyle factors for coordinated, comprehensive care, making it easier for patients to have all their needs met seamlessly and to improve outcomes. It moves away from fragmented care, using a multidisciplinary approach from doctors, therapists, social workers, holistic and complementary practitioners to address issues like stress, chronic pain, substance use, and mental health conditions alongside physical illnesses.  IBH addresses interconnected mental health (anxiety, depression) and substance use issues simultaneously, recognizing they often co-occur.  Integrative behavioral health for addiction combines traditional therapy (like CBT, DBT) with holistic mind-body practices like yoga, mindfulness and mindful breathing, meditation, acupuncture, music therapy and physical activities (exercise, qigong and tai chi) to treat the whole person, addressing co-occurring mental health issues and building new coping skills for long-term recovery, focusing on a coordinated approach for substance use and mental health disorders.

Cognitive Behavioral Coaching

The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy and cognitive behavioral coaching is to help individuals to recognize distortions in our thinking that lead to non productive habits and patterns of thinking and the underlying emotions that feed or support these patterns.  Cognitive behavioral approaches in coaching help individuals examine the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behavior and their desired goals and future outcomes.  Understanding these relationships helps us to feel more in control and less likely to react to events in ways that negatively impact or limit our individual performance. 

Education

Doctorate in Psychology (Psy.D) – Touro University, 2017  

Master of Arts degree in Education, (M.A.Ed.), Touro University – California, 2008

Graduate Certificate in Educational Therapy, University of California, Berkeley 2006

Education Specialist - Mild/Moderate Disabilities - California CCTC

Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities, New College of California, San Francisco 1991

Allied Health Sciences, Fullerton College, California 1978-1982

Training, Memberships and Professional Affiliations

ACO - ADHD Coaches Association, 2024

AET - Association of Educational Therapists, Professional (ET/P 2006 - 2013)

APA – American Psychological Association, Division 15 – Educational Psychologists - Affiliate

ATI - Arizona Trauma Institute - Certified Trauma Support Specialist (2022)

ASCEND - SUD Counselor Education and Development Program (2026) - UC San Diego

CalTICA -California Trauma Informed Care Academy - Educator

CADTP- Substance Use Disorder Registered Counselor - SUDRC I #23782

CCAPP - Qualified Mental Health Specialist  (Cred. #25-QMHS-I-00154)

CCTC - Education Specialist - California Commission on Teacher Credentialing - 1991- present

CE - Certificate in Meditation Coaching - 2024

CEU - BRIEF COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY IN THE HEALTHCARE SETTING

CSUF - California State University, Fullerton -  Certificate in Integrative Behavioral Health - 2024

FSU - Florida State University - Professional Certification in Trauma and Resilience - Level 1 

IBCCES - Certified Cognitive Coach  2022 -  #CCC22817595

ILCT - Institute for Life Coaching Training - Cognitive Behavioral Coaching

ISCP - International Society of Coaching Psychology - Affiliate

NACBT - National Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists, Certified Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapist (CBGT)

PESI - Advanced Certificate: Executive Functioning Skills for Children & Adolescents - 2024

PGIM - Post Graduate Institute for Medicine - ACEs Aware in California - 2021

TCH - Certified Qigong Instructor - Tai Chi Healthways 2022

Articles, Publications, Websites

Mindful Living: A Celebration of Mindful Breathing, Mindful Self Care and A Mindful Life 

A Mindful Life - Essays on Mindful Living - New for 2026

A Mindful Life Blog - Wordpress

Autonomy and Motivation: The Keys to Successful Learning and Goal Attainment - Medium.com

Mindset Practices for Wellness and Wellbeing - Medium.com

Neuroplasticity - Medium.com

Mindful Breathing Institute - website

Mindful Breathing Institute - YouTube Channel

Mindful Breathing - ebook or paperback

Mindful Self Care - ebook or paperback

Mindfulness for Beginners - website

Metacognitive Thinking - website

Qigong for Enhancing Self Awareness - ebook

Trauma Informed Practices: Teaching Self Regulation through Mindfulness - Medium.com

Trauma Informed Teaching Practices - American Psychological Association - Practice Brief - October 2022

Trauma Informed Practices: Teaching Self Regulation through Mindfulness to Children and Adolescents - 2023 - ebook

Trauma Informed Schools and Practices:  Creating Resilient and Caring School Communities for Learning - 2025 - ebook/paperback