Helping People Find Therapists & Advocating for Ethical and Healthy Therapy & Marriage Counseling Practices

My Approach to Helping

Therapy is a journey of process. It takes some wisdom and a lot of strength to decide that the time is right. Some people may have what they feel to be small problems that they want to resolve. Others may have experienced past or recent trauma that is now significantly impacting their lives. Each person perceives their problems or challenges in a uniquely individual way and effective therapy needs to focus on your unique way of feeling, thinking and behaving. Many people have difficulty trusting due to past events and establishing a therapy environment and relationship that are safe and trustworthy is the most important part of building a solid therapeutic bond wherein the client's individual goals can be achieved.

The process of exploring your inner self in an effort to fully understand and value who you are is not always easy. But most people have a capacity for insight and the necessary strength to know when change needs to happen.

Ever increasing insights allow for changes in perception and behavior that nourish your life force. It is much like photo tropism, the process by which plants and flowers, no matter where they are will always turn to face the sun. Nature guarantees that they will make the changes (turn) needed to obtain their nourishment.

I employ a systems approach to couples therapy exploring the function of each person's behavior within the relationship to include communication styles,values clarification and issues of intimacy both emotional and physical. I may insert individual therapeutic techniques with one person in the presence of the other because sharing this experience can greatly enhance the overall feelings of value and intimacy that each can have for the other. It is also important to note that some couples enter therapy with a significant difference in each person's desire for the relationship to work. It then becomes paramount that honest communication be facilitated in a safe and supportive environment wherein actual individual priorities can be shared. Sometimes both parties have firmly decided that it is in the vest interest for each person if the relationship ends. At this time, therapy can be helpful in making sure that this path is negotiated smoothly.

 

More Info About My Practice

Evening and weekend sessions available.

I have worked in the mental health field for 25 years and have been certified/licensed in Washington State for 16 years.
My current practice is limited to individual adult and couple's/marriage therapy. I am cross trained in the areas of both mental health and addictions while understanding that the two areas have tremendous overlap. In addition to private practice I have worked in the capacities of therapist, supervisor and clinical director in out-patient mental health and chemical dependency environments as well as hospital settings. I have also worked in the capacity of mental health professional and supervisor in acute care and emergency service programs with an emphasis on assisting with recent trauma.

I utilize therapeutic interventions from several models to include Dialectic Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Solution Focused and Depth Oriented Brief Therapy. Concerns that I address include but are not limited to marital or couples' challenges, grief and loss, past or recent trauma to include sexual abuse, post traumatic stress, addictive behavior, depression, anxiety and phase of life issues such as retirement, menopause and the 'empty nest' syndrome as just a few examples.

I am currently not paneled with insurance companies but you may contact your insurance provider and ask what percentage they pay for 'out of network' providers. Often they will cover a significant portion per session. They send forms for you to give to me to fill and return to you. When you send them in to your provider they typically send you your reimbursement per the percentage they cover.

 

Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With

I have received extensive training in not only psychology but addictive behaviors with a special emphasis on relapse prevention. Further specialized experience includes healing early and recent trauma. Additionally, I often help clients to access avoided emotions in a safe manner believing that it is exhausting to continually suppress or hold feelings down with such exhaustion often resulting in depression.

Services I Provide

• Individual Therapy & Counseling
• Marriage, Couples, or Relationship Counseling
• Clinical Supervision

Ages I Work With

• Adults

Languages I Speak

• English

Groups I Work With

I am a Washington State 'approved supervisor' for Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor candidate's clinical hours.
My therapeutic history has involved significant issues of sexual victimization and the impact that this is having on current relationship, trust and intimacy issues.
I additionally assist couples and individuals with internet porn addiction,gambling, sexual addiction or sexually related problems as well as other general obsessive-compulsive behaviors.

With regard to substance addiction my therapy emphasizes post treatment, emotional-behavioral-cognitive triggers and relapse prevention as well as recovery and relapse prevention with couple's.

Therapy Approaches I Use

• Anger Management
• Breathwork
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy /REBT
• Conflict Resolution Therapy
• Depth Therapy
• Depth-Oriented Brief Therapy
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
• Dreamwork & Dream Analysis
• Emotion Focused Couples Therapy
• Family Systems Therapy
• Gestalt Therapy
• Guided Therapeutic Imagery
• Integration of different therapy models
• Jungian Psychotherapy
• Mindfulness Based Approaches
• Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy
• Non-Violent Communication
• Other - Not Listed Here
• Person Centered / Rogerian
• Psychodrama
• Psychodynamic
• Relationship Enhancement Therapy
• Solution Focused Therapy
• Systems Theory /Therapy
• Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Trauma Relief Unlimited

Concerns & Issues I Help With

• Identity Issues
• Attachment
• Reproduction
• Abuse: Emotional, Physical, or Sexual
• Trauma
• Addictions & Compulsions
• Life Changes
• Anxiety, Fear, & Stress
• Emotion Management
• Depression & Mood
• Relationships & Marriage
• Social Skills & Problems
• Family Problems
• Self-Esteem & Confidence
• Sexuality
• Occupational & Academic Issues