My Approach to Helping
What I bring into the space is curiosity, deep regard, and loving-kindness. I believe that when folks are truly seen and accepted, ease can be found, change can happen, and life can become enriched.
I believe you are the expert of your own experience and my role is to create a container for youus to explore within, and to support you in the processing of your thoughts, emotions, and experiences, allowing you to move toward your goals. I understand that some things are extremely difficulty to explore and we may never touch on them, but I am determined to create as safe a container as I can, allowing you to choose how deeply we delve. I strive to employ a trauma-informed lens with a dedication to anti-racist and anti-oppression practices.
I specialize in working with folks who are LGBTQIA+, non-monogamous, andor kinky. I am dedicated to supporting folks in developing a healthy relationship with consent and boundaries, empowering folks to step fully into living a life in which they can identify their desires, and have them met. I deeply value the exploration of self-identity and self-acceptance as a means of creating a fuller, richer life.
I received my master's in Mental Health Counseling in 2013 after a 20-year career as a theatre & opera stage manager (which is astoundingly like being a therapist). In addition to supporting folks in identity exploration, I have worked extensively with trauma survivors and in crisis-intervention with older adults in vulnerable situations.
If you would like to know more about me and how we'd work together I welcome you to schedule a free 30-minute consultation.
More Info About My Practice
I work Sunday through Wednesday. In addition to seeing clients in-person, I can see both California and Washington residents via telehealth.
My View on the Purpose of Psychotherapy
One of my core beliefs about humans is that we are all intrinsically whole and valuable. However, in our early years, many of us have had to developed ways of being in the world to keep us safe. And those mechanisms did keep us safe, they were necessary for us to survive and become adults. But now when we encounter difficulties in our lives, we often solve those difficulties using our old ways. Which often doesn't work or even intensifies the difficulties. This behavior may be confusing or frustrating, "Why am I acting this way?" or "Why do I always do this?" are common questions. I believe that through exploring our patterns andor our maladaptive coping skills we can gain an understanding and compassion for ourselves. Though that understanding and compassion for who we are in the world healing can begin.
My Role as a Therapist
I am a dedicated lifelong learner; there is no point where I will feel I have completed my education about the human experience. This attitude of perpetual curiosity is a large part of what I bring into the space when I engage with you. I will not know who you are until I talk with you, and I will never know you as well as you know yourself; therefore, I bring a deep curiosity to my work. I cannot help you, or help you help yourself, without getting to know a bit about you first.
If you come into therapy wanting me to have the answers, I am not the therapist for you. I don't have your answers, but I deeply believe that you do have your answers, and it is my intent to help you find them. We will explore together and I will be there to support you and help create a container for you to explore within.
Consent is vitally important to me. Since this will be your therapy I want you to know that you have choice and if I ever suggest something that you do not want to do, I want you to let me know. My suggestions will be just that - suggestions, not mandates. I love when people say no to my suggestions, it allows me to trust that when they say yes, it's a true yes. So I encourage and welcome you to share any reservations with me.
Clinicians who offer sliding scale payment structures may offer lower or reduced fees based on an individual's ability to pay. Please contact this clinician for more details regarding their fees or sliding scale policy.
