Hello!
My journey to private practice began in 2006 while working at shelters for chronically houseless folks in downtown Seattle. Since this time, I've worked in numerous social service positions including as a therapist at a community mental health clinic and as an advocate in numerous transitional living and shelter facilities.
In 2011, I completed the University of Washington Master of Social Work program. As a research assistant or intern, I worked on University of Washington research teams including the End-of-Life Care Research group, the Aging with Pride study, and the Indigenous Wellness Research Institute.
In 2013, I moved to Bellingham, WA to work as a counselor at Unity Care NW - a community health clinic. Moving into private practice in 2018 has been a fulfilling and exciting transition in my career!
My latest chapter includes my move to Spokane, WA during the summer of 2023. It is a great opportunity to experience the beauty of inland Washington and Idaho.
Approach to Therapy
Approach My approach to therapy engenders kindness, honesty and compassion. The support I offer is practical and useful. My focus is on your strengths, resources and goals. My hope for the women I work with is that they feel respected, excited and enlivened in the therapy process. I bring warmth, curiosity and a sense of humor to the table.
Therapeutic modalities I utilize an "integrative" approach in therapy sessions. This means I approach my work as an art and weave together modern and ancient perspectives and theories. The theories include cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness techniques, existential psychotherapy, person-centered therapy and feminist psychology. My focus is on the strengths and resources you have as well as the ones you would like to cultivate.
Professional training My professional training is extensive. It includes courses related to trauma & shame, mindfulness tools, attachment theory, body acceptance, neurodivergence, polyvagal theory, and somatic (body-based) interventions. (Please see a selected list of trainings below.)
Teachers Folks who have influenced my practice philosophy include Irvin Yalom, Babette Rothschild, Janina Fisher, Brene Brown, Pema Chodron, David Richo and Sue Johnson.
Personal growth Recovery in my own life includes participation in therapy as a client. Other growth opportunities I participate in include recovery groups, working with mentors and attending psychotherapy and supervision consultation groups.
Post-Graduate Training: A recent selection
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Decolonizing Therapy: Acknowledging Harmful History and Moving Toward Antiracist and Culturally Affirming Processes, Valerie Yeo, 2024
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Introduction to Neurodivergence Series, Laura Trewel, 2024
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2nd Annual Body Image Summit, multiple presentors, 2023
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Binge Eating Disorder: Clinical Interventions to Treat Underlying Trauma, Body Shame, and the Diet/Binge Cycle, Judith Matz, 2022
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Treating Adult Clients of Emotionally Immature Parents, Lindsay Gibson, 2022
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Demystifying Personality Disorders, Gregory Lestor, 2022
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Emotional Abusive Behaviors and A Closer Look at Gaslighting, Amy Marlow-MaCoy, 2022
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Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy: Attachment-based Interventions to Treat Trauma, Anxiety and Depression, Sue Johnson, 2022
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Shame and Self-Loathing in the Treatment of Trauma, Janina Fischer, 2022
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Being Neurodivergent in a Neurotypical World, B Lourenco, 2022
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ADHD Diagnosis & Treatment: Comorbidities, Complexities, & Relationships, Ari Tuckman, 2022
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Complex Trauma and Shame: Somatic Interventions, Janina Fischer, 2021
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Attachment & the Neurobiology of Relationships, Kristie Baber, 2021
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Sensorimotor Psychotherapy in Context: Sociocultural Perspectives, Pat Ogden, 2021
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The Polyvagal Theory in Practice, Deb Dana, 2021
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Creative Journal Writing for Clinical Practice, Sibel Golden, 2019
If you are in crisis, call 911 or the Crisis Line at 800-584-3578. Help is available 24/7.