Qualifications & Experience

I have a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Pacific Lutheran University. In my clinical internship, I worked with children and teens with a wide variety of needs and diagnoses, as well as with their parents.

My Call to Christian Counseling

I have always had a heart for those who are hurting or struggling in some way, and I am also drawn to stories of healing and hope. For several years I taught piano privately as I cared for my young children. However, as my youngest child was nearing school age, I began to feel a sense of restlessness and a longing to pursue this passion for caring for those who are “brokenhearted and crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). The further I moved down the path of pursuing a career in counseling, the more confirmation I received that this was the path God had for me.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

I am married, have 4 teenaged and young adult children, and in my free time I enjoy reading, the outdoors, making music, and watching my kids enjoy their various activities.

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

• Abandonment and Neglect
• Aging and Geriatric Issues
• Anxiety
• Counseling for Children
• Counseling for Teens
• Codependency
• Depression
• Family Counseling
• Grief and Loss
• Individual Counseling
• Personal Development
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Relationship Issues
• Sexual Abuse
• Spiritual Development
• Trauma, Complex Trauma
• Women’s Issues

Anxiety

Anxiety is a natural and common emotion and can present itself in a variety of ways. I like to think of anxiety as the body’s warning system, alerting us to perceived danger based on past experiences. Many people attempt to cope with their anxiety by dismissing it, numbing it, or trying to “handle” it on their own, only to find that those attempts ultimately increase the anxiety they feel. My primary approach to treating anxiety is to work together to identify and process the underlying fear or inner conflicts that are feeding the anxiety and maintaining its grip on you, as well as to build coping skills for managing anxiety as it arises.

Grief and Loss

Grief occurs as a response to any loss, affecting all of us at various times in our lives. The process of grieving is unique to the situation and the person, and can often be layered and complex. Whether you are grieving a loss of community, identity, ability, a season of life, an intimate relationship, the loss of a loved one, or any other loss, I can assist you as you move through the grieving process. The goal will not be to simply “get over” the loss, but to come to a point of acceptance and renewed hope, and to learn to integrate the loss into life moving forward.

Trauma

Trauma comes in many forms. It is most commonly understood as a singular event that causes extreme distress and forces the victim into a fight, flight, or freeze response. Trauma can also be of the “complex” variety, where there has been ongoing or repeated trauma, often with a relational component, such as with childhood abuse or neglect. The potential impacts of trauma are numerous, can feel overwhelming and debilitating, and can remain with us even long after the trauma has passed. Whether your experience of trauma was singular or ongoing, occurred recently or long ago, there is hope, and counseling can help. Together, and at your pace, we will examine the emotions connected to your trauma, the strategies that allowed you to survive (physically or emotionally), which of those strategies continue to serve you, and which ones may now be a hindrance to your well-being.

Counseling for Children and Adolescents

I specialize in counseling children ages 5 and older, as well as teens, and very much enjoy my work with these age groups. Depending on the age and needs of your child or teenager, I will incorporate play therapy, art therapy, and traditional talk therapy approaches in order to work toward the healing that is needed. The bulk of these sessions will be spent individually with the child, however, I often incorporate time with parents and caregivers in order to address the family system, and the ways in which the family could better support the child. Regardless of the symptoms and struggles your child or teen is facing, I look forward to creating a welcoming and safe atmosphere where they can begin to heal and grow.

Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.

Availability (by office location):

• Puyallup – Sunday, Monday, Wednesday & Thursday

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals and families looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment the full fee per session is required at the time of service.

Insurance: As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA), some insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals and couples.

Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 3.7% plus $0.15 per transaction will be added for credit card payments.