Qualifications & Experience

I have a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grand Canyon University and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Idaho State University.

My Call to Christian Counseling

I have always loved helping people. However, after I became a Christian, I began to see things in a new way. I began to see that my joy was not in my circumstances, but in Christ. Tim Keller put it this way: “Hope comes not in the solution to the problem but in focusing on Christ, who facilitates the change.” Psalm 39:7 (NLT) says, “And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in You.” I can encourage people, but I find it even more rewarding when I can pray for and encourage people in their faith, hope, and trust in God.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

I love to volunteer in my church as a greeter and in the nursery with babies. I love hanging out with my church family (they really are my second family), spending time with my family, watching movies, streaming shows, and going to concerts. My family and I also try to enjoy all the wonders of the beautiful PNW and traveling in America when possible.

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

• Abandonment and Neglect
• ADHD
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Autism
• Coaching
• Counseling for Teens
• Couples Counseling
• Codependency
• Depression
• Family Counseling
• Individual Counseling
• Infidelity and Affairs
• Marriage Counseling
• Online Counseling
• Personal Development
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Premarital Counseling
• Professional Development
• Relationship Issues
• Sexual Abuse
• Spiritual Development
• Trauma
• Women’s Issues

Anger Management

When dealing with anger, it’s important to ask the question, “What’s underneath?” There is often overwhelming stress, frustration, hurt, anxiety, etc. that result in a person being irritable and angry. Some of us weren’t taught how to regulate our emotions from a young age, so we grew into angry adults. But just like little kids, we can learn to “use our words” and say, “I’m overwhelmed. I’m frustrated. That made me feel hurt.”

We are humans with emotions. The Bible tells us we might become angry. But it also says, “Be angry, and do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26). This is an encouragement to Christians to acknowledge and manage their anger, rather than suppress it. This verse acknowledges that anger can be a normal human emotion, but it is crucial to manage it well. By learning coping techniques like deep breathing and addressing negative thoughts that drive the anger, you can learn how to stop letting anger control you.

Anxiety

Some people think that the neuropathways in our brains are set and unchangeable. They think if we’re anxious people, we’ll always be anxious. But that’s not necessarily true. We can use the Word of God and tools such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you identify and challenge negative thought patterns associated with anxiety. Then, with God’s help, we can promote the formation of new, more positive neural pathways.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” – 1 Peter 5:7, NLT

Counseling for Teens

The teenage years are so hard. Not only are you dealing with middle school or high school, but you may also be dealing with bullies, hormones, and/or friendship and family issues, which can all lead to mental health struggles. Being able to talk about your problems and developing, strengthening, and practicing coping skills can be extremely helpful. Also, aligning your self-image with the way God sees you, increasing your ability to see positive traits, and improving your self-talk by speaking life over yourself can help tremendously. God created you in His image, and He has a plan and purpose for your life.

Marriage Counseling

Even the healthiest of marriages can go through some rough patches. My husband and I have been married for 30 years and have experienced some of those days and even years. Whether you’re struggling with issues related to communication, finances, intimacy, conflict resolution, or other concerns, we can identify any weak areas in your relationship and work to make them stronger. Depending on your situation and goals, we can discuss hopes and dreams, spiritual alignment, stress management, ways to build intimacy, and much more. You don’t have to struggle alone; hope and help are available.

Infidelity and Affairs

When addressing infidelity in therapy, it’s important for us to get to a place of honesty, self-reflection, and a deeper understanding of the affair’s impact on the relationship. Rather than remaining stuck in a place of blame, it can be more helpful to explore motivations, the impact and consequences, and future goals or intentions. What, if any, were the motivations behind the infidelity? If you both have a desire to stay together, the next steps would be to begin to build trust, to be fully honest with one another, create healthy boundaries, and work on your marriage. It would be my honor to walk this path with you toward healing and restoration, with God’s help.

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 – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
• Online (WA Only) – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals and couples 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 4% per transaction may be added for credit card payments.