Is an experienced Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a degree from UC Berkeley and California State University. She is the founder of Bodhicitta Therapy and Mindfulness. She spent the last ten plus years working as a trauma specialist, providing evidence based treatments to help individuals reduce the impact of past traumatic events on their present lives. Her expertise includes working with clientele struggling with life transitions, depression, anxiety, PTSD, sexual trauma, grief/loss and betrayal.

Having served for 20 years, Gigi is a United States Air Force Retired Veteran, and is familiar with the challenges that face the men and women who serve, as well as their families. Gigi is currently a specialty clinic coordinator at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, and served as the Military Sexual Trauma Co-coordinator for two years. In addition, she was the first VA Palo Alto Health Care System leading Telehealth provider. Her expertise aided the Pacific Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center create guidelines for Mental Health clinicians providing Telehealth services. Gigi collaborated on different research studies, to include working with Stanford University’s Etkin Lab in the research of the neural basis of emotional disorders and their treatment with a focus on trauma.

Teaching and empowering others in developing emotional and behavioral coping skills that are healthy and effective to manage life’s difficulties, Gigi is deeply passionate about sharing the power of meditation and practicing a mindful life. As a certified Mindfulness Teacher through the Mindfulness Training Institute (MTI) and the International Mindfulness Teachers Association (IMTA), she has provided introductory training and guidance in mindfulness for groups and individuals. Her style in therapy can be described as educational because she approaches life with a “knowledge is power” philosophy. She believes that learning and cultivating a meditation practice can lead to awakening insight and achieving self-actualization; therefore, Gigi integrates mindfulness as a pivotal piece in not only her personal life, but in all her therapeutic approaches. LCSW #76527 NPI #1578836912