About Me

We don’t arrive, we grow. ~Mark Nepo

Hi, I’m Caroline (pronouns: she/her/hers)! First of all, thank you for taking this step in you and/or your loved one’s healing journey. I’m so glad you’re here!

A little bit about the “professional” me: After several years working in the field supporting survivors of domestic violence, I decided to go back to school to get my masters in counseling. My mentor, Rachel Cherry, was an amazing art therapist and I witnessed the healing impact she had on the children who were experiencing domestic violence–a spark in me was lit!  In 2001 I graduated with an M.A. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Art Therapy from the University of Notre Dame du Namur in Belmont.  I then obtained my license as a Marriage and Family therapist (MFC44169), a California Registered Art Therapist (06-006) in 2007. After several years working in non-profits working with children and adults reeling in, catching breath and slowly healing from abuse, I simultaneously stepped into the educational system and also started my private practice (2009). While working within a K-12 school district, I’ve managed teams and programs focused on mental health and wellness for students, families and educators. I developed a graduate and post-graduate clinical internship program and currently provide Clinical Supervision to graduate student Trainees and post-graduate Associates working towards their licensing hours. In 2023 I discovered Brainspotting as an incredibly impactful method of tapping into and healing unresolved trauma. I am a certified Brainspotting therapist and am happy to share more about this practice. I also offer professional development of the Community Resiliency Model® created by the Trauma Resource Institute in Southern California.

A little bit about the “personal” me: I was born in Peru and my roots run deep. I moved with my family to the San Francisco Bay Area when I was 5 years old. You can say that my Peruvian roots and Californian roots are intertwined. My family home was filled with the essence of our homeland while my immersive experience of growing up in the Bay Area influenced me greatly. I grew up with one foot in California and one foot along the coastline of Peru. Not surprising, I’ve landed along the coastline of California in the Half Moon Bay area–it has been my home for several decades now. I am married and am honored and humbled to be the parent of two young adults. My journey of self discovery and personal evolution never ends. As a student of yoga, I live the practice of a beginner’s mind. I seek for the pearls of wisdom that are buried within. Perhaps you may even join me at the yoga studio. I’m a Yoga Alliance approved, Registered Yoga Teacher (200-RYT) and teach regular classes at Swell Yoga in El Granada with a second studio opening up (Spring 2026) in Half Moon Bay soon!

Finally, if we walk this path of healing and self discovery together, I will support you–your needs, your struggles and your pain with compassion, reverence and love. Ultimately, I believe we are each an expert of ourselves and as your (or your loved one’s) therapist, I respectfully step into the role of a guide. It’s your life. It’s your canvas. It’s your healing.