Therapist Profile

My Approach to Helping

We all can feel stuck from time to time. Whether it's a relationship issue, a career issue, challenges with depression, anxiety, or substance use, we can find ourselves repeating the same patterns. I work with individuals, couples, and groups and help people understand the patterns of their lives and how to move beyond challenges and towards fulfillment.My approach is primarily systemic. I'll work with you to look at your life challenges through the lens of Systems Theory, examining interactional patterns and feedback loops that have influenced your experience. I believe that since our families are the first group that we are ever a part of, the patterns of interaction that we learned from our families continue to guide us in later life. I typically discuss family patterns with clients, often completing a genogram (fancy name for a family tree). For couples, I believe it's important to look at the messages around relationships each person is bringing into the relationship.

More Info About My Practice

I have a Master of Arts degree from the Leadership Institute of Seattle at Bastyr University in the Systems Counseling Track. I completed my MA internship at the Seattle Counseling Service for Sexual Minorities where I worked with a diverse group of individual, couple, and group clients as well as conducting workshops for LGBT couples. My undergraduate degree is a B.A. from Haverford College in Pennsylvania with a major in the Growth and Structure of Cities. I am also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State.I have a diverse professional background that informs my practice. I've been a city planner, worked in the software industry, and have extensive experience in the nonprofit sector, primarily around organizational leadership and developing innovative civic engagement strategies. I've worked in the environmental community, in the LGBT community, and for a range of social change causes. Having been an organizational executive director and also having chaired and served on a variety of Boards of Directors, I have extensive experience with organizational development, strategic planning, and coaching individuals on fulfilling their professional goals.My move to psychotherapy and coaching is based in my belief that social change starts at the individual level. I believe that we are all powerful agents for change in our own lives and in the larger society, and I work with individuals, couples, and groups to unleash this inner power.I am a member in good standing of the Seattle Counselors Association where I serve as the Co-Chair of the Program Committee, the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association, and the Greater Seattle Business Association, as well as a Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I also volunteer as a Coach for the Executive Service Corps of Washington.