About Briana
With over 35 years now of specialized experience I have had the opportunity to be a part of many lives recovering from and overcoming the challenges of mental and behavioral health struggles. Watching people regain their lives has been an honor and a blessing that inspires me to continue my work with others.
Being healthy as a therapist requires a good work to life balance and taking care of oneself. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I love being outside in nature and spending time with our family’s many animals. I enjoy creating things whether it be through art, design, cooking or baking. I believe learning new things and constantly growing as an individual is essential in living a fulfilling and meaningful life. Most importantly, I have found the greatest meaning from sharing and enjoying the relationships I have with people in my life.
Education & Experience
Education
I have always been drawn to understanding people and helping if I could, which made the field of psychology of great interest to me. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1991 from the University of San Diego. I attended graduate school at San Diego State University where I obtained a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work with an emphasis on psychotherapy. I have attended a multitude of clinical and professional trainings throughout my professional career to continue to grow and advance in knowledge and therapeutic skills.
Experience
I started working in this field over 35 years ago working with individuals on the Autism Spectrum. Prior to and throughout undergraduate college I was privileged to gain experience with clients of all ages in settings including outpatient psychological centers, school-based treatment programs, residential treatment programs and inpatient treatment centers. My work with clients included addressing anxiety, trauma, addiction, attention issues, grief and loss, learning issues, behavioral struggles, and depression. Throughout these experiences I learned not only about the needs and struggles, but also the gifts and strengths of individuals who struggle with learning, attention, behavioral and psychological issues.
After graduate school, I worked for several developmental clinics helping children and teens with attentional, learning and behavioral issues. My work with the clients included: participating in comprehensive assessments, utilizing cognitive behavioral strategies to address psychological and behavioral issues, and teaching parents how to adapt parenting approaches to meet their children’s needs. Collaborating with their school systems through 504 and IEP meetings was also crucial in addressing the needs of child and adolescent clients.
Specialization and Private Practice
In 1999, I developed an interest in treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). As I came to appreciate the incredible need and lack of available treatment for people struggling with OCD, I decided to obtain training and develop a specialty in this field. In 2004, I opened my private practice, focusing on the treatment of OCD and related spectrum disorders, Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), and Tic Disorders. In my practice, I seek to address the many ways my clients’ symptoms impact their life, whether it be at school, at work, in relationships and in families. As OCD often presents with other conditions, I’ve extended my specialty to the treatment of anxiety, eating disorders, and depression; all of which can commonly occur with OCD. Given my experience working in developmental clinics, I am able to adapt treatment strategies to meet the developmental level and learning style of my clients. I am available to meet with clients both in person and through telemedicine. (put photo of hand holding flower somewhere near this)
Teaching and Clinical Supervisory Positions
As part of my specialty, I worked for 12 years as an Associate Clinical Professor for the University of California, San Diego’s (UCSD’s) OCD Clinic. My position included teaching and providing clinical supervision to the UCSD psychiatric residents as well as assessing and treating clients for OCD, related spectrum disorders, and hoarding.
I continue to provide ongoing teaching and clinical supervision to colleagues who wish to be trained on the assessment and treatment of OCD and related spectrum disorders and am available for professional consultation to other practitioners.
Speaking Engagements
With a goal of helping schools, teachers, and administrators better understand and meet the needs of students who struggle with OCD, I have presented at public and private schools throughout San Diego on identifying, recognizing the impact and providing support to students with OCD.
I have been a presenter at the International Obsessive Compulsive Foundation’s 12th annual conference in San Diego. In conjunction with the OCD of Southern California’s organization, I presented on “Resistance to Treatment for OCD”.