A symbol in zen buddhism called an ensō, a circle drawn open to represent continuous growth.

Become.  Live intentionally

Not I am a therapist

Not therapy.  Not coaching.  Not artificial intelligence.  Not TikTok health.Support WHEN YOU WANT IT—
An alternative to therapy for people who don't need therapy.Professionally licensed to practice psychotherapy. (But am Not.)Not diagnosing or digging into past trauma. Respectfully informed, harnessing emotions and working on growing through whatever you're going through, building resilience and gaining agency in co-creating your life. A collaboration towards self-actualization that is holistic and human—Not compartmentalized and clinical.Because everyone could use support. Not everyone needs therapy. Not everyone wants 'life coaching'. There needs to be More...

Identity.  not labels

Not the system

Because you do not want to live unconsciously as a function in a system, including family systems. Because it does not serve you to be lumped into a prescriptive model or predetermined program.We do not fit into molds or belong in boxes. We need meaning and purpose.Because having autonomy, authenticity, and living with intention and alignment is vital. Because being whole, a person you know and can rely on—and home, safe in your own body is precious.We do Not go through the motions. We choose to live an examined life.

Embodiment. Connection

More

For people who see and need to be seen... People who understand there is more underneath and beyond the veil. People busy being professionals who care about staying connected. For the feelers and thinkers and seekers, and more….

Working together  is not defined for you. It is a collaboration created with your input. As the authority of our own lives—our experiences and emotions—working alongside an ally can uncover truths that are challenging to reach alone. Sometimes those truths include moments when we're disconnected from our own authority. As we work together, what resonates with you may shift. There’s space for that.People seek support when something disturbs the status quo—life transitions, situations with other people or roles and careers, feeling stuck or blocked, at a crossroads, grieving a loss, and more. But you don't need to wait until there's a 'problem', and it's not necessary to have an end goal to take stock in your life.In my psychotherapy practice, I met with intelligent, creative, reflective people who sought support and continued on transformative journeys of individuation and self-actualization. The meaningful within the mundane. The point is, there was no 'mental illness'. There's a place for therapy!  But it's not Here.

Regarding "growing through"  events that may disrupt your equilibrium as they crack open the protective shell: it's an entry point, the opportunity to sort through what was latent underneath, lay a sturdier foundation, and Become—a more resilient, healed, whole, true version of yourself.Because, actively or passively, we do participate and contribute to what's created in our lives. And what underlies how you experience the world and other people is the relationship you have with and within yourself. An examined life is the difference between existing and living.

and More... There's an alchemy in the coming together of two people with shared intention. What emerges is transformational.But as 'practice' turned into systems that are industrialized and routine, what’s lost is the heart and soul. (The "spiritual" in a biopsychosocial-spiritual perspective, and the reason I don't use the term 'session'.)More intentional and presence-focused. Conscientious of language and mindset shifting. Physically informed and somatically aware. In dialogue, incorporating mindfulness and related practices as fitting, the collaboration is a depathologized, demystified process of personal development. With heart and soul.The message I received in the decisive moment of stepping in on a synchronistic path that included leading me into therapy, out of it, and Here: it is an Art.

Why Not

why not therapy

Not every situation requires clinical support. Not everyone needs to be diagnosed with a mental health disorder.* People who perhaps have been there, done that, people who are busy adulting with schedules and careers and travels, people who seek support and strive for More need more viable options. Not doing therapy, we can connect virtually wherever you are, and you have the flexibility and freedom to choose when and how often to meet.

*clinical depression/anxiety, PTSD, Addiction, etc.

why not I am a therapist

From what I observed on my own professional journey, seeing the way people act professionally and experiencing the manner in which they behave privately, it became evident that "therapist" is its own persona—one which assumes the 'expert' seat. So, Not "I am a therapist." I am a person Not working as therapist. And I never announced myself in that way when I did. We are all human, being, and the person in me recognizes the person in you.

some background

Who I am

I am a person striving to be real who really cares—not a professional persona, not a formulaic commercial (thus "more" info not bullet points). For more on that and to play, visit my glob➚. Regarding practical background, I worked as a psychotherapist in community mental health, with a Jungian analysts' group, and in private practice, and saw diverse, conscientious, talented adult individuals and couples—meaningful working relationships that spanned a great many years. I hold university degrees in Social Sciences--encompassing psychology and sociology, and Clinical Psychology--with a specialization in Spiritual and Depth Psychology. (The Spiritual and Depth Psychology Specialization explores the intersections between mindfulness-based therapy, Jungian-based analytic psychology, and socio-cultural diversity consciousness... honoring body-mind-spirit wellness.)Rite of passage↗︎PS. She INFP they user of dark mode and ellipses ... Animal lover (seriously🤗) with a deep respect for the natural world. Naturally registering and translating information provided by my body has served me; with Tai Chi I learned to move inside.  Not really an 'online presence' trying to adapt and authentically provide in an oversaturated and increasingly commercialized/ homogenized and artificial [in intelligence] world.  As told to me by others: You're an empath.  . . You are an Artist. .  Always, all ways, noticing➛ processing➛ learning➛ growing, and wishing for realness and kindness in the world.

Let's Connect

Free consultations should be standard practice for any service. The Calendar icon below will direct you to my booking site where you can get more info about meeting, as well as schedule a time for us to chat about how we'd work together. Just a simple conversation to see if Not doing therapy together would be a good fit. (There's no 'program' you're bound to if we do work together.) And if we find out something else may be better suited for you right now, that’s fine too. What’s better for you is what's best.

Additional info can be found in FYI.

☟ Calendar

Questions? ➠ email ana (me;)

FYI, no third-party tracking or analytics are used on this site—meaning I'm not personally monitoring what you're doing or where you are.
Clicking on the icons above will direct you to the TidyCal Calendar and Instagram page, which have their own Privacy Policies: TidyCal/Instagram.
For more, please visit Privacy.

Ana peeking into frame, rocks in the background.

Walking the walk = Not a take-my-picture/ taker-of-pictures person. "Websites have people pictures." On a walk, saw a spot and thought it'd be nice for a photo. In the spirit of Being Real, sharing the surprise picture that was taken while I was 'staging'.🙃 If you are amused, perhaps we'd work well together. In any case, best wishes for the continued journey.

The information on this site is for educational and/or informational purposes only and not intended to provide or be a substitute for professional services. Likewise, the services offered are for personal development and holistic well-being—they are Not intended to diagnose or treat any physical or mental health condition and they are Not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. I am NOT providing professional services for psychotherapy, and working together does not establish a client-therapist relationship.

。

the ensō : a circle containing everything and nothing. representing freedom, enlightenment, no-mind
. . it is an experience . .
drawn open in recognition of ongoing movement, symbolizing the continuous process of becoming.
♡

© 2026 Not a therapist, LLC

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rite of passage

I ticked all the right boxes and am legitimized by the 'powers that be' and I have observed that the number of post-nominal letters and degrees a person has (or the lack thereof) does not necessarily reflect a person's level of professionalism, integrity, or speak to their character. I share as, yes, I would want to know and also because the immense amount of work and dedication that goes into meeting the formal, highly regulated and state-governed requirements of academic and professional institutions is formative and foundational...However much gifted and talented and self-taught and life-learned, there's a distinct discipline that can come from traversing the long, arduous path of schooling, supervision, examination—and everything in between—to becoming professionally licensed....For someone whose learning was never bound by books, it was a rite of passage. My journey was not fueled by a surface goal of wanting 'to be a therapist' . . . therefore, the drive to keep growing kept me going. So, discontent with systems (including the healthscare one) and the medical model (e.g. blind focus on treating symptoms) aside, with great effort, I ultimately diverged⋯furthering my own growth, knowledge, expansion. Becoming more whole. Which brings us Here.

Privacy

is important

Last updated: 2026 Aug 26We do respect everyone's privacy.Information Not Collected/Cookies
No information is being requested. And, as noted in the Contact section, no third-party tracking or analytics are used on this site—you're not being watched, tracked, or profiled here.
• The hosting platform may keep minimal/anonymous technical logs for security. (Automated—no human eyes on you.)
• A "strictly functional" cookie might be set to keep things secure while you browse.
• Links lead off-site to other domains with their own practices—we don't control or track those.Information you provide
When you reach out/book to Connect:
• Will be used for regular contact and to provide services.
• Will not be shared, sold, rented, or distributed in any way.
• Messages travel encrypted; platforms use industry-standard security.
• Information is retained as long as needed for active work together.
• You can request deletion at any time.Information you provide third-party platforms
When you use scheduling, payment, or other external tools:
• Is stored on their secure sites under their policies.
• Please reference their privacy policies for details.You're welcome to email if you have questions about your information.Be well.

The sky and Ana wearing a hat.

And the "staged" pic, in shadow mode.

Terms

of service

Last updated: 2026 Aug 26Welcome. These are the Terms of Use for this site. By accessing and using this website and services, you agree to the Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use this site.Regarding Working Together: If we decide it's a fit after the Free Consultation➚, a Welcome Agreement—detailing our work together and terms of service—will be sent to you via email prior to engaging in any paid meetings. (FYI, unlike therapy, conversations are not legally privileged—though everything shared is held in strict confidence.)Website Content and Use
The information on this website is intended for adults (age varies by region) and is for general informational and educational purposes only. You agree you will not misuse the information or services provided.Intellectual Property
Unless otherwise stated, all content on this website is the property of this site. You may not copy, distribute, or reproduce any material without our written permission.External Platforms
This website contains links to external platforms. We are not responsible for the content or policies of external sites. Please reference their policies for information regarding their practices.Not therapy or profession/medical advice
As noted in the disclosure following the Contact section, the information on this website, and the services offered, are for personal development, growth, and well-being only. They are not a substitute for psychotherapy, medical care, or other professional services.No Promises or Guarantees
There are no promises or guarantees about the effectiveness or outcomes of any information or services that are provided. Individual experiences will vary and depend on factors beyond our control. By using our services, you acknowledge that we do not guarantee specific results or benefits.Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages that result from your use of this website or our services. This includes but is not limited to, financial loss, emotional distress, or perceived lack of results. Working together does not constitute a client-therapist or other legal business relationship. The decisions you make and the actions you do or do not take in your life are your own, and you are responsible for however you choose to implement any ideas or practices that arise from services.We reserve the right to change, modify, add or remove portions of these Terms of Use at any time. Your continued use of this website after changes are posted is your acceptance of the revised terms. Website terms are governed by the state of California, USA. The working relationship/terms of service detailed in the Welcome Agreement may vary by engagement. If you have questions, you are welcome to email.

FYI

Using depression to illustrate when we would work together vs when you may want to seek therapy:

  • ⒜ You feel down. vs  b. You're experiencing depression.
  • ⒜ Situational—life happens and it's affected your mood in a way that makes sense to you. vs  b. Clinical—you feel depressed most of the days, you've lost interest in things, your appetite has changed and more for a couple of weeks.
  • ⒜ Not therapy. vs  b. Therapy.
  • Talking to someone about situations in life, processing them and the feelings you experience (vs they accumulate and compound), helps to prevent (a) from developing into b.

A sampling of some "You's" with whom I've worked (here come the bullet points):

  • ✦ You are reflective, introspective, have experience with therapy.
  • ✦ You've been the caretaker and it's difficult to think of yourself, care for yourself—the challenge is having boundaries and ‘permission’ to make choices that benefit you.
  • ✦ You’re successful and intelligent—other people might know it more than you—and possibly feel something continues to be just out of reach, or off.
  • ✦ You may be described as a high achiever or overachiever; you overwork, are exacting, perfectionistic—only excelling is good enough.
  • ✦ You work in the arts and creative fields. or live it.
  • ✦ You are diverse… In the family, in the world, you’ve been the outlier... ➚   Perhaps often misunderstood.
  • ✦ You need to take a beat and collect yourself in the midst of life's busyness (aka self-care).
  • ✦ You care about learning and growing. Living consciously, knowing yourself, is meaningful and important.

After the Free Consultation, if not doing therapy is a fit and you'd like to connect, you'll receive a Welcome/Agreement document and then can simply book times at your convenience! Naturally, continuity is conducive for change/growth (e.g. going to the gym once will only do so much), and having more experience with you will enhance our collaboration. That said, there is no obligation to schedule in any fixed way—you simply factor this into your desires and goals. Sometimes it's work in itself to take an adult time-out/ take-care-of-me time.

We'll have video or audio meetings via a secure, encrypted online platform using my private URL. And for people who have an ongoing working relationship, I offer live chat.

PS. Full disclosure since I used the reference: I've never had a gym membership.

  • • To be licensed as a therapist, it's necessary to complete thousands of hours of supervised clinical work to satisfy multiple categories of the profession.
  • • To be in therapy, you must have/be diagnosed with a mental health disorder and, if you use insurance, the insurance company has a right to the notes of your confidential sessions.
  • • For currently unregulated practices (e.g. 'life coach', 'healer'), no special qualifications are needed—no education or training is required to offer services.
  • • 'Certification'/being 'certified' is an organization's acknowledgement that a person went through a program or course.

    • To note, all said and done, skill set, competency, etc. will always vary, no matter the background. Ultimately, the level of care, professionalism, etc. that's given depends on the person providing it.

    A prelude to 'harnessing emotions'...

    Emotions are vital pieces of information. Noting the sensations in your body is a level of awareness that serves you.  You enter an environment and feel your heart beating, faster, harder. That sensation may be labeled as an emotion—perhaps fear, excitement, surprise—and that then may develop into a feeling—perhaps dread or eagerness, the anticipation of something 'bad' or 'good' happening... All this happens in no time and being conscious of it gives you the chance to use the information to assess the situation, and yourself, instead of unconsciously plowing through it.

    If not dissociated, so much of the world is in a state of distraction; both lead to disconnection, bodily and otherwise. The lack of awareness in any capacity diminishes the agency and authority one may have in life, the ability to have 'control' and the chance to choose how to respond vs getting possessed and reactive.

  • How do you exist in your body at this moment? Leaned in or back perhaps ・shoulders active or released ・ your breathing... 🕊️