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I work with clients of all ages, stages, & presenting problems, but specialize in treating individuals experiencing trauma, grief & loss, anxiety & mood disorders, ADHD, & difficult life transitions.
CREDENTIALS
I have worked in the mental health field for more than two decades. I have a master's degree in social work (from Eastern Washington University) and a bachelor's degree with studies in sociology and psychology (from the University of Oregon). I earned my independent clinical social work license in Washington State (#LW60003656) after a 3-year period of supervised postgraduate experience and passing a national clinical exam in 2006. Post-licensure, I completed an additional 2 years + required supervisory training to become an approved supervisor for clinical licensure candidates. With a passion for lifelong learning, I engage in annual continuing education courses, attend professional conferences, am a member of several professional organizations (NASW + APA), and continually work to improve my skills so I can help the people I serve more effectively.
EXPERIENCE
The application of theory in practice is where I learned to distill complex concepts into practical help for those who need it. I've worked in inpatient, residential, day treatment, in-home, school-based, and outpatient services settings across the continuum of care with children, adolescents, families, couples, young adults, older adults, and everyone in between. My primary treatment model is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I also incorporate elements from many other modalities and adapt my approach based on individual needs and preferences. I provide compassionate and competent trauma-informed care and consider helping clients to be the greatest privilege of my professional life.
KITTY CO-THERAPIST
Sofia (also known as Le Chat Noir Deux) is my favorite co-worker of all time. I never expected to say that about an officemate who constantly steals my chair, occasionally chews my pens and charger cables, and often uses my laptop as a belly warmer, but she more than makes up for it with her Yoda green eyes and sparkling personality. Clients have witnessed Sofia hilariously photobomb a session or two since she was adopted from a shelter in 2021. She has a cozy cat cave under my desk (though she prefers to drape herself over the expensive laser printer) and serves as my companion, consultant, and constant shadow. I honestly couldn't offer telehealth appointments or work remotely without her.
HOW I SPEND TIME
OUTSIDE OF WORK
I love what I do professionally. That said, having a life outside of work is how I've managed to keep going in a profession with an extraordinarily high burnout rate all these years.
When I'm not in the office, I love spending time with my husband, our grown sons, family, friends, and feline. Music is like oxygen to me. As a recovering classical musician, film scores are my favorite. I love photography and have had the immense privilege of traveling the world. A humble domestic road trip involving fried chicken on a stick or gas station corn dogs and a good 90s playlist, however, is a close second in my book. I also geek out on interior design and domestic pursuits. You'll often find me cooking, cleaning, cursing my way through home improvement projects (that looked so simple on YouTube), binge-watching my latest favorite show, reading, writing, and running (very slowly) on the treadmill or track while blasting a disturbingly eclectic playlist or self-improvement podcast.
