What does it mean to work with a therapist who specializes in hereditary cancer risk?

When you carry a genetic mutation such as BRCA1, BRCA2, or another hereditary cancer risk gene, you face unique medical, emotional, and relational challenges. Therapy in this niche provides a supportive space to process fear, grief, and uncertainty while exploring choices around screenings, risk-reducing surgeries, fertility, and family planning. My approach integrates depth psychology, somatic awareness, and trauma-informed care to help you feel grounded as you navigate these life-altering decisions.

Who do you typically work with?

I work with adults of all ages who are living with hereditary cancer risk, including those who:

• Recently discovered they carry a genetic mutation

• Have known for years and are facing new decisions

• Are navigating fertility preservation, IVF, or parenting choices

• Are considering or recovering from risk-reducing surgeries (mastectomy, hysterectomy, oophorectomy, etc.)

• Are caregivers or family members of someone at risk

How is therapy different from medical support?

Doctors provide medical expertise, but emotional processing and identity work often fall outside the exam room. Therapy offers a space to explore:

• The impact of constant medical surveillance (“life between the scans”)

• How family history and intergenerational trauma influence your choices

• How anxiety, grief, or uncertainty show up in your body and relationships

• Ways to cultivate resilience, agency, and inner trust

I just found out I have a genetic mutation. Where should I start?

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed. If you live in California, 1:1 therapy can help you slow down, make sense of what’s happening, and connect to your values before rushing into decisions. This is the way to get the highest level of support for your process so that you can have all the space you need. If you want a community of other people to connect with, my ongoing support groups are an intimate place in which we explore topics that our genetic mutations are impacting each week. If you just want to hear other people’s stories, check out the podcast to hear a risk-neutral space where we explore different people’s real-life response to genetic testing.

Do you offer support groups?

Yes. In addition to one-on-one therapy, I facilitate support groups for people navigating hereditary cancer risk. These groups offer community, validation, and collective healing—so you don’t have to walk this path alone. These support groups are currently only offered to people that live in California.

How do you integrate trauma-informed care into this work?

Many people facing hereditary cancer risk carry not only personal fear but also the weight of family history. I use trauma-informed practices rooted in interpersonal neurobiology, depth psychology, and somatic awareness. Together, we support not only your nervous system but your relationship to your own experience, so that you can face uncertainty with more capacity, connection, and self-trust.

Do you work with people outside California?

I am working on setting up a coaching business so that I can offer my support groups outside of California. I hope to have that running in the first hald of 2026!

For now, I am only able to work with clients in CA.

Is therapy covered by insurance?

I am an out-of-network provider, which means I do not bill insurance directly. However, I can provide a superbill you may submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement. I recommend Thrizer to clients that are submitting superbills, as they help manage the process and track your claims:

https://www.thrizer.com/for-clients

Many clients also choose to pay out of pocket for privacy and flexibility.

What if I’m not ready to commit to therapy?

That’s completely okay. You can start by listening to my podcast Walking the Genetic Line, which explores real stories of people living with hereditary cancer risk. You may also sign up for my newsletter or join a workshop to get a sense of my approach before beginning therapy.

How do I schedule a consultation?

You can contact me here to set up a free 20-minute consultation. We’ll talk about what you’re going through, what you’re hoping for, and whether this work feels like a good fit.