I have had the pleasure of working as a Marriage & Family Therapist since 2004-both as an intern and a licensed therapist. I earned my Masters in Counseling Psychology at The University of San Francisco (2005) and my Bachelors in Journalism at The University of Texas in Austin (1986). I became licensed as a Marriage & Family Therapist and worked in California (2009-2018) and currently in Oregon (2016-present).
From 1988 to 2009, I freelanced as a publication designer and editor working with many diverse clientele on projects in which they needed help with design and copy. I enjoyed sitting down with my clients and asking questions, digging deep, and finding out what it was they wanted and needed. Oftentimes they didn’t know themselves and we would spend countless hours talking about the various possibilities a project might have. What it looked like. What it sounded like. Who it spoke to. And-why they believed in this project so strongly. During this process, I realized how much I enjoyed getting to know people and working with them. I learned that ultimately my clients-deep down-knew what they wanted, but could not verbalize it. I helped them find the words. And in many ways, that is what I do now as a therapist. I help my clients discover the words and the feelings they have known deep down for a long, long time, but could never quite express.
In 2004, I decided to return to school and earn my masters degree in marriage and family therapy, becoming a full-time therapist in 2010. I love the work. I love the challenges. And I love the flash of awareness that my clients experience as they discover themselves once again. They may have felt lost for a little while, only to realize they knew where they were going all along-just with a little help.
Because I believe that change can happen. I believe in the resilience of the individual and their ability to push through and overcome obstacles that have blocked them for several years. I believe that happiness is achievable with good motivation, hope, and sometimes hard work. I have worked with all populations including children, adolescents, individuals, couples, the elderly, LGBTQ community, and those who have been traumatized by a single incident in their lives. I believe there is hope for all of them to live happy and fulfilling lives.
Approach
I take a holistic approach to therapy, concerned with the overall long-term well-being of the individual and their family. I work with clients on partner relational issues, family of origin conflict, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and other issues in a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment. I practice EMDR, Brainspotting, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), each depending upon the issues we are addressing.
I continue to take classes, workshops, and seminars that focus on individual psychotherapy, family counseling, neuroscience, and psychopharmacology in order to stay abreast in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. Education is very important to me in order to provide the best possible service to my clients.
Associations
- AAMFT (American Association of Marriage & Family Therapist’s)
- OAMFT (Oregon Association of Marriage & Family Therapists)
- ORCA (Oregon Counseling Association)
- EMDRIA (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association)
