Therapeutic Approach

I offer psychotherapy for individuals and couples struggling with grief and loss issues, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, sexual addiction, issues of abuse and domestic violence, post-traumatic stress, racial identity issues.

My therapeutic philosophy is an eclectic one… shaped by my study of attachment theory, relational psychoanalysis, object relations, family-systems theory, and self psychology.

I believe that the heart of most personal issues are relational in nature and that a safe, trusted relationship is needed in which to experience healing and transformation. My hope is that within our relationship you will experience growing inner freedom and self-awareness, as well as healing and transformation in your relationship with yourself and others.

Our therapeutic relationship provides the reflective space for you to gain emotional insight into yourself and how you relate with others. I believe that it is this emotional discovery of the truth of who we are that brings about freedom, self-care, and the potential for growth. Our eyes are opened to both the beautiful and the painful realities of our life stories… realities we may have avoided celebrating and grieving through our various coping strategies and styles of relating.

In our times together, I will be paying particular attention to your family dynamics, personal beliefs, questions of meaning, and your interpersonal style of relating. These dynamics will be revealed within the "here-and-now" of our therapeutic relationship, providing us the opportunity to process how we are impacted by each other… and thereby gain awareness of who you are and who you want to become.

Education and Experience

I received my M.A. in Counseling and a Certificate in Domestic Violence from Mars Hill Graduate School in 2004. Besides the psychology-related coursework, I also enjoyed studying theology, existential philosophy, spiritual direction, and issues of equality/reconciliation between gender, race, and sexual orientation.

Since graduating, I have been working in a private therapy practice and am currently a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Washington (LH00010824) and am a member of the Northwest Alliance for Psychoanalytic Study (NWAPS).

I also worked for three years as a therapist with children and adolescents in the Children's Community Support Program at Sound Mental Health. I spent two years at Affiliated Mental Health working with chronically mentally ill adults and have also worked in an inpatient setting with children, adolescents and adults at Fairfax Hospital in Kirkland, Washington. I’ve also worked at Mars Hill Graduate School for a year training students in the therapeutic process through group work and individual meetings.

Fee and Process

Individual/Couples 50-minute session:   $115

Initial consultation session: This allows space for us to meet and discuss the issues that bring you into therapy as well as to discuss any questions you might have of me or the therapeutic process. I do not charge for the initial session if you or I decide for any reason that we are not a good fit for each other.

Monthly invoices are provided which can be submitted to your insurance company. Please note that I have a 48-hour cancellation policy.