Couples and Family Therapist and Addiction Counselor

Counseling Philosophy

Licensed to provide individual, couple, and family therapy, I am passionate about understanding and cultivating self-awareness in a way that leads to connection and healing. In varying degrees, humans are inherently relational beings, and when we feel disconnected and without a place of belonging, emotional pain tends to arise. In this place of discomfort, we are best posed to notice our unmet relational needs and find ways to resolve the resulting pain at its root. This insightful work is best motivated by curiosity and acceptance but can be stalled, and the pain intensified, when motivated by guilt and shame.

When there is openness, inner work can lead to growing awareness of areas of oppression and privilege experienced by self and others. As this work progresses, it produces healing in the form of empathy. Therapy provides a venue to bravely investigate self and become more familiar with who we are. Thoughtful investigation has the power to change the default painful self-criticism and shame that holds us down into self-kindness and a greater capacity for compassionate regard of others. From a place of self-compassion, we can more easily find contentment, freedom, and motivation to move forward in this life. As a practitioner, I consider it my greatest responsibility to witness and reflect the worthiness of each person as they grow in appreciation and care for the human being they are.

Therapeutic Approach

The relationship I cultivate with clients is based on collaboration, curiosity, and compassion. From a humanistic stance, I utilize an integrative approach with a basis in family systems and trauma-informed attachment theory. Tailored to each client, I use interventions from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), emotion-focused therapy, narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, mindfulness, and psychoeducation. With each client I consider individual factors, such as socioeconomic status, faith, nationality and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability/disability, and experience of trauma. With these client considerations, I use evidence-based techniques to highlight and encourage the client’s very individual expertise, strength, and capacity for growth. From this stance, I work collaboratively with each client to create and reach attainable goals.    

Areas of Focus

• Processing of past and present trauma

• Transitions, grief, and loss

• Belonging and disconnection

• Overwhelm, anxiety and worry

• Depression and sadness

• Spirituality and purpose

• Family and couples’ relationships

• Addiction and recovery

• Identity and self-acceptance

Education, Credentials and Associations

• Southern Adventist University, BA in Psychology and Religion

• Antioch University, MA in Marriage and Family Therapy

• Pre-internship practicum at Antioch Community Counseling and Psychology Clinic and Mary’s Place Seattle

• Clinical internship in mental health counseling at Compass Health in Everett, Washington