about me
Hello and welcome! It takes courage to reach out for support, and I realize that the decision to see a therapist is not made lightly. I strive to treat my clients as I would like to be treated in therapy. Your voice and your empowerment as a person are extremely important to me, and I see you as the expert on yourself. I see my role as one who comes alongside to journey with you: to listen, to notice your strengths, and to help you leverage them to face your challenges. It would be an honor to work with you to create the future your heart longs for, a future in which you are thriving, free to fully employ your talents and live out your purpose in this world.
I received my Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology in 2013. My passion has always been working with people, and my professional background has included working and volunteering for non-profit organizations such as Joni and Friends, Sound Mental Health, the YMCA, the Aurora Commons, and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. I have extensive experience counseling people with disabilities and chronic illnesses and their family members. I also carry a unique perspective as someone who grew up in a multi-ethnic family with my identity split between two worlds.
I have been trained in psychodynamic and relational psychotherapy, meaning that I see the health of your relationships as crucial to your well-being, and I seek to understand the concerns you are bringing within the context of your larger story, which is always impacted and shaped by your primary relationships. I may bring in other therapeutic modalities and tools to our sessions when appropriate, such as mindfulness, Pain Reprocessing Therapy, or EFT Tapping.
Together, we will develop a plan to address the goals you are seeking to reach. No matter who you are or what you bring, I will seek to develop a healing relationship with you that will feel safe and free of judgment.
Recent Training/Continuing Education Includes:
Emotional Awareness & Expression Therapy for Chronic Pain, by Dr. Howard Schubiner & Dr. Mark Lumley, 15 credits
An Overview of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): An Action Oriented, Clinical Approach by Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW, 6 credits
Applying Internal Family Systems as a Trauma-Informed Approach to Treat Substance Use & Mental Health Disorders by Hannah Smith, MA, LMHC, CGP, 3 credits
EFT Level 1 & 2, through ACEP, 28 credits
Freedom from Chronic Pain, taught by Dr. Howard Schubiner & Hal Greenham, 16 credits
The Neurobiology of Attachment, by NICABM, 3 credits
Ethics of Self-Care: An Art-Based Approach, by the NCEAI, 6 credits
* I also participate in professional consultation groups on a regular basis, including 1) the Practitioner Professional Development Program for professionals who have completed the Freedom from Chronic Pain course, 2) a consult group for therapists who support injured workers, 3) a consult group for therapists who specialize in disability, chronic pain, and chronic illness, and 4) consultation groups for EMDR therapists.
Areas of expertise:
Adjusting to Change / Life Transitions
Anxiety
Autism Spectrum
Caregiver Stress
Disability
Chronic Pain or Illness
Depression
Highly Sensitive Persons
Intellectual Disability
Trauma and PTSD
Work Injuries
Please note: this is a safe place to talk about suicide ideation. I hold the belief that suicide ideation is a coping skill (albeit not an ideal one) that has helped you survive thus far. My goal is for you to feel safe and respected when sharing about this vulnerable topic.
Treatment Orientation:
Psychodynamic & Relational
Pain Reprocessing Therapy
Emotional Awareness & Expression Therapy
EFT Tapping for Trauma
Mindful Self-Compassion
EMDR