Background

I graduated from the University of Washington, Magna Cum Laude, with a Bachelor Degree (1992) and a Master’s degree (1994). I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Child Mental Health Specialist and an Eating Disorder Specialist. In addition to Social Work, I has extensive training in psychology and child development.  I’ve worked in non-profit agencies and hospital settings for many years before going into private practice in 2005.

I am a member of the National Association of Eating Disorders and the National Association of Social Workers.

Treatment Philosophy

My belief is that we can improve our lives with the help of an understanding, compassionate and insightful listener who can provide feedback and make suggestions, someone who can see your strengths not just your wounds.  I enjoy helping people develop personal growth and gain understanding of all the different parts of themselves.  I am empathic, supportive and a creative problem solver.  I am able to put myself in my client’s shoes, to see their world from their view and offer alternative ways to look at things.

In my office you are offered an emotionally safe space in which to explore your life. Therapy is an unfolding process where you can shed old hurts and habits, move beyond negative self-talk and develop a compassionate relationship where you are your own best friend.  Sometimes our old patterns keep us down, and we need someone to help us find a new direction.  Therapy can provide relief but is not easy, and there are no promises or guarantees in this work.  I find that what people are willing to put into it is equal to what they get out of it.

My background in psychology has lent me many therapeutics orientations in which to work. I incorporate the use of Narrative Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Transactional Analysis,  Internal Family Systems, Developmental Psychology along with art and play therapy among others.  I interweave the educational components with intuition born of many years of experience.

I tend to be interactive with clients. I want to get to know and understand you.  I ask questions, offer observations, get clarification and verbalize what I believe you are experiencing to see if I have a correct understanding.  This can be an opportunity for shared ideas and can bring awareness to a new way of looking at a situation and ways to release pain.

I like to use imagery and metaphor to conceptualize and make concrete the often elusive nature of emotions.  If we feel it, then we need to find a way to express it.  There is no one way of healing.  Some clients benefit from doing Inner-Child Dialog work or can use a journal to track thoughts, feelings and behaviors that address anxiety, depression, disordered eating patterns or parenting challenges.  Writing, drawing and other art forms can help express what talking does not.

I have a lot of games, wooden puzzles, cards, puppets and a variety of other things to play with.  It is through play that children can find a voice, gain trust and learn about how their thoughts and feelings lead to actions, especially around frustration tolerance.

Because I am a highly sensitive person, I understand many of the challenges that people with neurodivergent brains have to deal with on a daily basis.  I can be of assistance here as well.