My Approach to Helping

In my experience, people don't fit into neat categories. Although there are many standardized approaches to treatment out there, my thirty years of practice experience has taught me that each client is unique, requiring an individualized approach that responds to his/her/their unique circumstances and concerns.

It takes many years to become a skilled therapist, and, when you have a lot at stake, you'll want to see someone who has been doing therapy for a while.

With extensive training and experience in both relationship therapy with couples and families, and insight-oriented individual approaches, I am prepared to help individuals, couples, and families with a broad range of issues. I believe people and their lives don't fit into neat little boxes.

More Info About My Practice

I participate with PacificSource (including the Legacy+ subnetwork and MedAdvantage), Kaiser Added Choice, Premera, Lifewise, First Choice Health Network, Healthnet (for plans using the First Choice Health Network), Coventry. Note that many different insurance companies and third party administrators use the First Choice Health Network: check your insurance card for the FCHN logo or call Sharon for help. These include: Cypress Benefit Administrators, Meritain, Multiplan, Moda, UMR and others.

Many people have out-of-network benefits as well, which expands their choice of therapists. They will generally reimburse for the services of independly licensed mental health professionals.

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

My special interests include trauma and other anxiety disorders, addiction, stepfamilies, and couple therapy.

Recognizing the complexity of helping people sort out their personal dilemmas, I participate in ongoing professional education and consult with trusted colleagues on a regular basis. I have postgraduate certificates in Couple and Family Therapy, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, EMDR (a method of treating post-traumatic stress disorder) and hold a certification as a Master Addiction Counselor (MAC).

How Psychotherapy Can Help

I have learned to be skeptical of approaches that promise 'quick fixes.' Although it's understandable that people want to resolve the problems that bring them to therapy as quickly as possible, I believe that approaches that focus only on symptom relief are short-sighted. Ideally, clients leave psychotherapy with a richer, more complex understanding of themselves and their circumstances and in a position to cope differently with the next challenge life throws their way.