About

I work hard to help people identify and overcome obstacles to their happiness and well-being.  The obstacles can appear as old patterns in the way we think or the way we interact with others, or as a combination. New obstacles spring up to keep us stuck in the old pattern. Sometimes the belief that there is nothing we can change is its own obstacle.  Whether you are age 18 or 78, the change process can be overwhelming, and you don't have to do it alone.

I wholeheartedly believe that working with a qualified counselor in a confidential and secure format, ideally a very experienced counselor who brings care, curiosity and trusted tools, can be the most direct and effective way to make desired changes in your life, to remove obstacles to your sense of fulfillment and well-being.  A counselor should listen carefully to your goals and help you stay focused on them.

I have worked as an individual and family therapist/counselor for over 12 years, and I am licensed (LCSW) in Oregon for private practice. I believe that safety, respect and consideration should guide all of our interactions. Diagnoses and labels may in fact be helpful in some situations, but this is not the main approach in my counseling practice.  Similarly, I don't push clients to fill the session with talk about their feelings or family-of-origin, unless they think it could be helpful.  Whether you consider depression, anxiety, frustration, disappointment, grief and loss, relationship issues, habits, self-image/esteem/identity, or various changes in your life (or a loved one's life) to be at the core of your barriers to your well-being, I respect the fact that you're considering hiring a professional to support you, and I hope that you find a good fit in a counselor. (On that note, I would not be a good fit for someone who needs to meet after 4:30pm.)