Personal Statement

I have the unique distinction of being both a licensed mental health counselor and a certified chemical dependency professional in the State of Washington and I specialize in working with people who have a co-occurring disorder (a substance use disorder and one or more mental health disorders) with an emphasis on trauma. If you have problems with up and down or intense emotions, relationship problems, problems with substance use (whether using yourself or whether you are in a relationship with someone who is abusing substances), a history of trauma (childhood, complex, interpersonal, PTSD), depression, anxiety, problems with eating disorder, problems with life changes and transitions...then I may be the therapist for you. I work effectively with people who have complex problems that some other therapists won't work with.

I am trauma trained, having worked under the supervision of experienced trauma psychologists at Fremont Community Therapy Project and work with individuals who have experienced many kinds of trauma that has resulted in PTSD, personality disorders, substance use disorders and chronic interpersonal problems. I have advanced training in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and I facilitate two groups weekly at a community mental health agency and provide individual DBT sessions. I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR), which is a therapy that can be utilized to help heal from trauma. I use a variety of techniques to tailor a treatment plan that is unique to your particular needs.

I am currently a doctoral candidate in counseling psychology and I am working on my dissertation in self-compassion, shame and self-esteem.