My Approach to Helping
Hi all! My way of working with my clients is very relationship based: how can you trust me if you don't know anything about me? I'm not going to use your time as my time to talk about my problems, but I do use my own experiences and history working with others as examples and to help me understand your experience too. I never have an idea of who or what I think you should be, I want to help you become the best version of you that you want to be. I think that relationships are a big part of helping us be mentally healthy. Not in a "you must be an extrovert" kind of way, but in a "we all need to feel like someone supports us and is a safe place". I want you to find that in your "real" life since I cannot be in your life forever, but sometimes starting with a professional is easier than our peers.
I work with ages 13+, plus some family therapy and parenting support in the form of Circle of Security - Parenting groups. Right now, I am only able to offer sessions over telehealth.
I enjoy helping folks with a range of mental health issues, and am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Because I do not have appropriate training, I cannot help with addictions, substance use issues, OCD, personality disorders, psychosis, schizophrenia-type disorders, brain injuries, and eating disorders. If you feel that these are issues you are dealing with, but they aren't the main focus of your life struggles, we might be able to discuss making something work, but I will always encourage getting the care you need.
More Info About My Practice
Heavy Boots Counseling PLLC is my private practice. It was never my plan, and I'm so excited that it's happening. I'm licensed in Washington state only and will be providing telehealth services. I hope to add some in-person services at a later time, but that is not currently an option. I take insurance under the Cigna, Aetna, and Optum umbrellas. For more information, please visit my website.
How My Own Struggles Made Me a Better Therapist
I am possibly too open about my own life struggles and experiences. I think it helps you know who you're talking to, that you aren't alone in your experiences, and that it makes me a better therapist. I experienced a lot of depression and anxiety as a teen, at least in part because of the emotional abuse I experienced from my older sibling. C-PTSD isn't an official diagnosis we're supposed to use at this point, but I definitely have it. I have struggled with self-esteem, anxiety, social anxiety, and attachment issues of my own throughout my life. I was also diagnosed with ADHD this year, which was a mental adjustment, but also explains some of the issues I have had throughout my life.
In terms of personal struggles not so mental health related but impacting: I am a queer person who grew up in tiny town in rural Oregon. I identify as bisexual and a demigirl, but didn't realize either completely until adulthood. I'm married to a cis-het man, so I'm very straight passing. I am white to the point of being see-through, but also have Jewish heritage. It is not the same as being BIPOC, and, it is definitely an identity that has caused me to be unsafe when others knew. I'm also a fat bodied person and don't believe fat equals unhealthy. I grew up in Protestant Christian churches until I chose to leave at 17, so I both have a personal understanding of Christian faith but do not align with any organized religions at this time if you want to work on religious trauma. My family of origin is a blended family, with my older siblings being from my Mom's previous marriage. And, last but certainly not least, I have multiple family members with their own neuro-spicy blends, mostly Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Like I said, I'm very open with my experiences and am happy to talk about it with you if you want. My number one rule is that you can ask me anything, and if I can't answer, I will tell you why I can't.
