I strive to use my practice of mindfulness to be fully present with you in the therapy setting
Together we attempt to understand
whatever it is that brought you to therapy and collaboratively work to come to some resolution. I have knowledge, skills and experience that I bring and will assist you in exploring what is right for you in your life.
It is my belief that healing takes place within the therapeutic relationship that develops between therapist/client and that finding a therapist that you feel comfortable working with is essential.
I will work with you in addressing the issues that you identify as problematic in the present and will also request to look with you at any earlier times in your life when similar issues were present. Symptom relief is important and often there may be patterns of behavior or beliefs that you are not consciously aware of but may have an earlier origin that, if understood, may offer longer lasting change. If there were obstacles or painful challenges in your earlier relationships psychotherapy can be a safe place to have a new, different and positive experience within a relationship.
About Me
I grew up in the Midwestern US and was drawn over 30 years ago to this part of the country because of the natural beauty.
Nature is a great restorative for me and I am appreciative of the many opportunities that the Pacific NW offers, whether it is working in my garden or sharing a hiking or biking adventure with friends/family.
I also find the natural world to be a reminder to me to be mindful. Whether it is the changing of the seasons or appreciating the beauty of a flower, nature helps me to slow down and sharpen my senses.
I have worked in many different settings over the years with a broad range of people. I have always enjoyed variety in my work. Today I most enjoy working with individual adults in longer term therapy where there is time to allow for a deeper understanding of whatever brings them to my office. Working in this manner can bring long lasting changes in a person’s life. The theoretical orientation I find most helpful in my work is a psychodynamic approach which focuses on your current life and relationships, including the therapy relationship and looking together at whatever situation brings you to therapy and understanding how any habitual patterns of behavior originated and continue to be maintained in order to better effect the changes you desire.
I also offer shorter term therapy which often is focused on symptom relief and a specific situation
I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
I am LGBTQ friendly.
While I am English speaking only I enjoy working with people from diverse cultures and ethnic backgrounds.
Why seek psychotherapy?
If you have been trying to manage on your own for awhile and are overwhelmed and/or no longer want to go it alone, talking with a therapist in a private and confidential setting can be helpful.