TRANSFORMATIVE

My Foundational Belief

I hold the strong belief that people are perfectly imperfect. They are beautiful, spectacular, and precious, but can also become stuck, unhappy and unable to live a fulfilling life. That’s where I come in.

As a passionate and licensed Mental Health Counselor, my experience allows me to understand the best ways to address each client’s needs in an effective manner. I am flexible in my approach and use collaboration as the basis of my therapy. Browse my services and book a session today!

POPULATIONS AND SPECIALTIES

Helping People Live Better Lives

THE BASICS

My Background and Training

I am a licensed therapist with 14 years of experience and a passion for working with individuals who have experienced trauma and crisis, including individuals traumatized in childhood from physical and/or sexual abuse, individuals traumatized as adults by violent situations such as combat, law enforcement work, relational violence, sexual violence, and natural disasters.

I am a veteran of nearly 24 years of military service, and a survivor of severe childhood trauma myself.

I am also experienced in working with adults who are experiencing other challenges including dissociation, profound grief, divorce, adjustment, depression, anxiety, job loss, family dysfunction, gender issues and other life complications.

While many of these issues are serious, I believe in a healing approach - that with help, people can move beyond pain and struggle into wholeness, and even joy.

On a case by case basis, I also occasionally work with youth who have experienced trauma. Because I am a developmentalist, I understand young children, but do not work with them. For young children, I believe Play Therapy is the foremost treatment modality, or a combination of Play and EMDR therapy. I also believe the most crucial relationship a child has is a wise, kind, and healthy parent. I will gladly assist you in becoming the parent you want to be, and will refer children out to other therapists.

I am trained and experienced in the use of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), RRT (Rapid Resolution Therapy), and CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy), along with a number of other modalities, including substantial understanding of the neuroscience of the brain and genetics.

My theoretical foundation is psycho-dynamic and developmental, with a strong helping of Existential Theory that teaches that finding meaning is crucial to hope, survival and dignity. Because finding meaning for many is a spiritual journey, I, although a devout Christian, have extensive knowledge of various religions and am able to assist individuals walk through their own faith or spiritual journey. I interweave all techniques and modalities into seamless integration, customized for each person.

I CARE

The Compassion You Need

The core element of resilience for children is one caring adult. The core element of resilience for adults is self-compassion. The more self-compassion someone has, the less likely they are to develop PTSD, and the more likely they are to overcome it if they have it. It is not just my compassion I give, but the compassion I teach you to have for yourself.

I SERVE

The Attention You Deserve

In therapy, you are the center of attention, and that is an appropriate time to be the center of attention. I serve you!

I UNDERSTAND

Give Yourself Another Chance

I have not walked the same roads you have walked, but I have walked a long, difficult journey of my own, gathering both life experience and substantial education along the way. I have studied various aspects of neuroscience, psychology and mental health since I escaped my childhood home in order to help first myself, then eventually others.

I SEE

The Process of Healing

So much of the time we are shoved into boxes others created. We long to be known, seen, heard for who we are, not for who others think we are or how they label us.....