About

I hold a master of arts (MA) in Counseling from Western Seminary-Portland, OR. This program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP holds member schools to the most rigorous standards of counseling curriculum and training experience in the United States. Since there is not a national counseling licensure standard, a CACREP accredited counseling degree is the best asset you can have to achieve licensure–in many states. Major coursework included clinical mental health counseling, skill-based coursework, internship experience, as well as a requirement to complete my own personal counseling. I am a licensed mental health counselor in Washington state, and I am a licensed professional counselor in Oregon.
In regards to my clinical approach, I believe people have the capacity to improve their ability to make choices that are congruent with the person they truly want to be or become. You are the expert of your life, not me, but I can help facilitate recognition and utilization of that expertise if you so desire. I also believe that people are affected by their biological temperament, life experiences, past and present relationships with significant people, spiritual beliefs and experiences, and with their core values or core beliefs about themselves and life as they see it. My approach to therapy is based in cognitive behavioral therapy, but it also incorporates some ideas and language from person centered therapy, trauma informed care, narrative therapy and psychoeducation. On a fundamental level we will work with understanding and making desired changes to your thoughts, emotions, behaviors and core beliefs. My goal as the therapist is to help clients recognize strengths, identify needs, understand conflicts, discover new options, set goals for personal growth, and make informed choices. I also believe the therapeutic relationship between the counselor and the client is of upmost importance and is key in facilitating authentic and meaningful change.