This website mash-up is reflective of my life ... many interests, influences, and experiences. I started writing as a child; started taking photographs as a teen; I worked in the record industry for a time; then returned to graduate school to pursue psychology. While I no longer practicing psychotherapy, I retain my passion for the field and utilize its intricacies in my work.

My graduate degree (master of science) is in community/clinical psychology, from CSU Long Beach. I also studied journalism and music (my first, short-lived college major). I could be called a "life coach," a consultant, mentor, or any other title that implies the helping / organizing nature of my work. Primarily, I seek to impart others with the tools necessary for making informed, insightful, and enjoyable life decisions. This process is accomplished by providing an impartial environment in which to generate alternatives, bolster strengths, and ameliorate vulnerabilities. More information about available services can be read elsewhere (here!) on this website.

A great deal of my education was grounded in the informal lessons gleaned from Josefa Colacion, my late maternal grandmother, who was an indigenous Mexican healer, a role that was passed to her from her paternal grandmother. No, I will not be performing any limpias, but I hold a deep respect for the family trade, as well for that which is unknown. Yes, I do possess a master of science, but I also subscribe to the concept of blending science with my culture - at least in theory, although not necessarily in practice.

The first decade of my adult life was spent working in the record industry. I served as manager/publicist/producer for local progressive rock bands in the late 1970s and 1980s; in addition, I also worked as a music publicist for Solters & Roskin, a Los Angeles PR agency, and also for Epic Records. I worked with such artists as the late Luther Vandross, Ozzie Osbourne, David Johansen, Gary Myrick, and others. I left in the industry after being injured in a car accident that left me temporarily unable to work a full day, and my boss at the time, fired me for it. Filing a complaint with the State Department of Labor Relations was not an option if I wanted to continue to work in the field. At that point, unable to obtain a full-time gig, I returned to managing local music acts (Mark Mancina), and co-produced Doug Smith's first acoustic guitar album with Carl Verheyen. Within a few years I had drifted away from the music/record industry, and settled down to parenthood.

My son experienced some developmental difficulties and I opted to educate him at home from preschool through the end of high school. Eventually, he was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, a high functioning on the autism continuum.

Through the years I have planned, organized, implemented, and evaluated. I've also budgeted, publicized, photographed, designed, hosted, and coordinated. I have assuaged frayed nerves, given calming assurances encouragement, and unruffled maligned egos. I have started and operated small businesses; organized events; contracted with and coordinated vendors, volunteers, and staff. Keeping the details simple while striving for maximum impact is my overarching goal. And, for the process to be illuminating and enjoyable.

And, I still write. In 2002, I authored a book on homeschooling special needs children for Random House (I homeschooled my own Asperger Syndrome son from grades K-12). For the past few years I have taken a break from writing, but I have recently returned to the words and expect to share them in the very near future. Additionally, I've picked up a camera after years of inattention, and am teaching myself the finer points of computer darkroom techniques.