Licensed to practice in Oregon and accepts 10 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Depression, Trauma and PTSD and 10 more.
(she/they)
New to Grow
Congratulations on starting (or continuing) your wellness journey. Engaging in therapy can feel like a big step. I’m here to provide a safe and supportive environment where you can be yourself and have an experience that is meaningful to you. I specialize in working with individuals (ages 13+), adult siblings and families who are navigating symptoms of PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions and family dynamics. I also have extensive experience working with clients who have an Autism spectrum diagnosis and/or who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+. I am a Licensed professional counselor (LPC) within the state of Oregon. I graduated from Lewis & Clark College with a Master’s in counseling psychology, and have been a therapist for 19 years. I look forward to working with you to make the changes you want to see in your life.
Our first session will be an opportunity for us to get to know one another. We’ll discuss your background, what brings you to therapy, and what you hope to get out of our time together. It’s completely normal to feel nervous about your first appointment. We’ll take it one step at a time, and I’m here to guide you through each step of the process of your healing journey. I believe fit between you and your therapist is crucial to the outcome of your therapy experience. As such, I offer a free, one-time 15-minute consultation by phone to determine if we might be a good fit.
Part of a therapist's role is to hold safe space for you and your story. I am calm and grounded with a belief that both crying and laughter help us heal. My style and approach in sessions will vary depending on your needs. Things that you might expect from me are: ~sitting quietly while listening. ~ providing feedback. ~a check in at the start of each session where I ask, "What feelings are present for you today?" This gives you the opportunity to pause and actually check in with yourself about how you're doing. From a young age, we are trained by society to answer the question "How are you?" with "Good, fine, okay, not great, etc." While this might work out in world, I find that it is rarely helpful in therapy. ~helping you explore your options around decisions. ~use of humor. ~gentle challenges because growth and change typically do not occur from a place of comfort (even if we wish they did). ~a non-judgmental perspective and sounding board. ~welcoming your feedback about our work together. If something is not working for you, and I have not addressed it, please bring it up in session; we will discuss your concern with the intention of changing your experience. This is your time. It is important to me that you feel supported as we work together on behalf of your current self and the person you want to be.
I am typically a better fit for clients who: ~appreciate open, honest, and respectful communication. ~are looking to process and make sense of their story. ~are willing to learn/try/use support strategies as appropriate. ~want to work towards change; even if they do not fully know or understand the changes that they wish to make at the start of our work together. ~prefer a therapist who encourages them to embrace small steps as progress. Change is rarely linear and it is important to acknowledge all versions of progress. ~are looking for a collaborator and guide in their healing journey, not someone to tell them what to do. We often already have too many people in our lives who give advice. This space is meant to be different.
Other specialties
I identify as
Integrative
My treatment approach is strengths-based, anti-racial, social justice-oriented, and family-centered. I work through a client-centered lens and believe that every client has a foundation of resilience and strengths that they bring to treatment. My method of treatment will depend on your specific needs, but I may employ interventions from family systems therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, brief solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, or collaborative problem solving, as well as others. Your goals and progress are my primary focus. Together, we’ll identify both strengths and challenges, and work on developing the strategies and tools that you need to help you feel more in control of your emotions and behaviors. When working with youth and families, sometimes, I will work with the youth and adult caregiver(s) individually, and other times, we will meet all together. I believe that family involvement is crucial to youth making long-lasting change. As such, I require adult/family involvement when working with youth under the age of 18.