Philosophy and Approach to Counseling:   Life is a journey of highs and lows, of bumpy roads and smooth sailing, of joy and sadness, grief and elation. We are busy with our families, raising our children, doing our jobs, dealing with stress. Sometimes it can all seem like a blur, like something that is happening to us instead of something we are consciously engaging in. Counseling is a unique opportunity to slow down, to reflect and tell our story, and to perhaps gain a new perspective of our journey. Our life stories may have main themes that easily come to mind, but I believe that when we pause to reflect and retell, we often discover subplots, interesting characters , and new insights that illuminate perhaps less well-known, but equally important aspects of our journey. We all have strengths, fears, ideas, and dreams that may not often show themselves, but reside in us nonetheless. I work collaboratively with my clients to create a safe and trusting environment that facilitates discovery of their internal strengths, hope, and resiliency so they can actively re-author their life story and take ownership of their future. This awakening of self-awareness and self-agency empowers us to fully engage in our relationships, in our work, in our play, in our communities; the result is a sense of fulfillment and of living life well.

I work with a broad range of clients, including adults, couples, families, teens, and children on a wide variety of issues. I have a special interest in working with co-parents facing the unique challenges of divorcing or blending families and a heart for working with the children living these transitions.

Education and Training:  I hold a Bachelor’s degree (BS) in Psychology from Lewis and Clark College and a Master’s degree (MA) in Marriage and Family Therapy from George Fox University. Major course work has included Human Growth and Development, Personality and Counseling Theory, Marriage Therapy, Family Therapy, Psychopathology, Relationship Assessment, Career Development, Play Therapy, Filial Therapy, Trauma Response, and Sand Tray Therapy.

I am currently registered with the State of Oregon Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, am recognized as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) and am pursuing state licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).

Additional:

Associate Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

Volunteer Clinical Therapist, William Temple House in Northwest Portland

Recipient of the Al Steifel Award for Excellence, George Fox University, 2008