About me and my journey…

I have lived in Seattle almost my entire life. I grew up in SE Seattle, an area known for its rich, cultural demographics. I love Seattle and all of its beauty. Growing up, I spent much of my childhood soaking in the beauty and nature that this state has to offer.

 

My journey has not always been clear or easy, but all my experiences have led me to become the person I am and the profession I am passionate about today. I have learned much from my life experiences--about love, grief and loss, relationships, hardships, and the strength and development of resilience.

 

Being from a mix-raced family, I spent a lot of time with the Native American community, playing at the United Indians of all Tribes Foundation's Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center. I also grew up enjoying lutefisk dinners with the Scandinavian part of my family. I am grateful for everything and everyone that has been a part of my life journey.

 

I have known that I wanted to work with people in the Mental Health field since I was ten years old, having personally experienced the healing power of therapy. I was fortunate enough to find a loving and supportive therapist. As a child I hoped that I would one day be able to help others the way my therapist helped me. Interestingly, it was after watching the movie, Good Will Hunting that I was sold on my mission to become a therapist.

 

Outside of my work, I have many passions and interests. I love being creative through singing, dancing, and writing. I love being outdoors and around nature.  I love animals and have many pets including dogs, chickens and cats. Nature's crows, hummingbirds and squirrels have adopted me. I find that my openness to new experiences, challenges, people or animals has always benefited me in many ways.

 

I have over 10 years of related experience in the mental health field; adult and child inpatient & outpatient work, community mental health, and a private practice serving adults and relationships. I have worked in other fields as well, including accounting, construction, the restaurant service industry, mountain resort guest services, animal grooming, and more.

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My Approach:

Here’s how I approach my work: I follow a client-centered, strengths-based model. I consider every individual/family/couple as unique and, as such, use methods and techniques best suited for each situation. My scope of practice includes many areas, all pertaining to individuals, couples, and families.  Most of my experience--and my passion--involves working with couples, pregnant women, new parents, newlyweds or soon-to-be-newlyweds, and the LGBTQ+ community. I also do individual work with both men and women, particularly when sorting through anxiety, trauma, sexual or relationship issues. 

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I was trained in Family Systems Therapy, which means that I approach therapy holistically, focusing on the individual and extending beyond, to the interactions between family members and significant others. I work with clients to help them recognize how extended family, culture, and society may affect them as individuals.

My Education:

My formal education started at the University of Washington, where I obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. I obtained my Master of Science degree at Seattle Pacific University, graduating in June 2017. I currently have over ten years of experience in mental health settings. I worked in a Washington State inpatient psychiatric unit as a Mental Health Specialist. As a licensed therapist, I worked with children, adolescents, adults and couples in various school settings, hospitals, and agencies.

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Sex and Intimacy -- Focusing My Work:

I am currently working toward gaining my credentials as a certified sex therapist. In my experience, this is an area that is often overlooked, both in therapy and in general. Whether sex/sexuality is the focus, or you are just looking for more intimacy in your relationship(s), I work to provide a safe space for promoting understanding of human sexuality, sexual identity and healthy sexual behavior. I offer a place where issues around sexual intimacy and function can be openly discussed. Issues and concerns regarding sex, sexuality, and sexual identity are natural and a part of our human experience, yet these are often viewed as taboo. I strive to provide a setting that destigmatizes sex and that supports healthy and quality relationships, both individually and relationally.