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.
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Recent Training/Continuing Education Includes:
Emotional Awareness & Expression Therapy for Chronic Pain, by Dr. Howard Schubiner & Dr. Mark Lumley, 15 credits
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An Overview of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): An Action Oriented, Clinical Approach by Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW, 6 credits
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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
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Freedom from Chronic Pain, taught by Dr. Howard Schubiner & Hal Greenham, 16 credits
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The Neurobiology of Attachment, by NICABM, 3 credits​​​​
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Ethics of Self-Care: An Art-Based Approach, by the NCEAI, 6 credits
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* 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.
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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.
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Treatment Orientation:
Psychodynamic & Relational
Pain Reprocessing Therapy
Emotional Awareness & Expression Therapy
EFT Tapping for Trauma
Mindful Self-Compassion
EMDR
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