Qualifications & Experience

I received a doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Northwest University. I completed my clinical training at Monroe Correctional Complex, Western State Hospital, and Nebraska Mental Health Centers.

My Call to Christian Counseling

I want to use what God has blessed me with to meet you wherever you are in life and help you break free of whatever is keeping you chained. My call to Christian Counseling is recognizing that while I may have acquired a degree, I know there is a God whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. In reference to Him, there is very little, if any, difference between you and me. Ask, seek, knock . . . and you will find.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

I am married. I enjoy food, cooking, and hiking. My friends describe me as down-to-earth, energetic, and an “old soul”.

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

• Abandonment and Neglect
• ADHD
• Anxiety
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Chemical Dependency
• Counseling for Children
• Counseling for Teens
• Couples Counseling
• Depression
• Family Counseling
• Grief and Loss
• Group Counseling
• Individual Counseling
• Marriage Counseling
• Online Counseling
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Trauma

Counseling for Children and Teens

Counseling children and teens is very rewarding. My approach to working with children and adolescents is structured, yet flexible to give them choices and as much control as possible. I have worked with youth with a variety of presenting concerns, including those with behavioral issues, ADHD, anxiety, trauma, and intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD).

Whenever possible, I work to integrate parent(s) or guardian(s) into therapy on a part-time basis. This is important so we can increase the responsiveness of the child or teen to the parent(s). In addition, caregivers can expect some homework as well so transitioning out of therapy will be smooth and skills developed in therapy will be maintained after therapy ends.

Family Counseling

My role as a Family Counselor is to amplify the voices in the family that may have gone unheard. In my experience, a family member is usually identified as the “presenting problem.” However, identifying patterns within the family will likely begin the process of understanding how the family system has sustained itself even in the face of hardship and troubles. During family counseling, I will help families change the dynamics and patterns which have kept the family stuck and realign their family system. When therapy comes to an end, families can anticipate experiencing more cohesion and closeness.

Grief

Grief can be a painful and lonely experience. Others may not understand, and it can be difficult to express with words. Navigating the waves of emotions and accepting the loss can be especially challenging. Differences in the type of loss can lead to a spectrum of emotions, such as a deep despair over who or what was lost, or a sense of relief which may leave the survivor feeling guilty. Whether you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one, a loss of a job, or a loss of something else, you aren’t alone.

Sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one can leave a heavy burden on those that remain. If the loss was traumatic, intense emotional reactions that persist for a longer duration are common. You may not have been ready to say goodbye, so reconciling the pain and finding peace can be a messy process. Reoccurring dreams or memories, intrusive thoughts, and blaming yourself or others can occur. While you may want relief from the pain, you may feel a strong desire to cling to all that you have left of the one you lost. Healing, at times, can stir up a feeling of guilt about potentially forgetting or abandoning the person that passed. This internal strife can keep a person stuck in the grief cycle for a prolonged period. Whether your loss was 10 days ago or 10 years ago, I will help you identify helpful coping skills, process through the grief, and assign homework to address areas in your life that may need extra attention to maintain your overall mental and physical health.

Marriage Counseling

Whether you are living like roommates or are on the brink of divorce, the marriage can be restored. Tending to other areas in life and neglecting your marriage will eventually lead to a period of drought, poverty, and starvation. As your marriage counselor, I will encourage you to limit the distractions, ask for help, discuss your options for preservation, prepare emotionally, and plan for what you want your marriage to look like in a year from now. Marital couples must do the work to reap the reward, but WOW! . . . The harvest is plentiful, and the reward is good. Marital counseling can completely change the trajectory of a family! Do not underestimate it, as the marriage is an important foundation to the family system. Let God be the foundation of your marriage, and anything is possible.

Abandonment, Neglect, and Trauma

Experiences of abandonment, neglect, or trauma may be carried by someone throughout their lifetime, particularly when these experiences occur during the formative years. Each of these experiences can shape your perception of yourself and others. It may be difficult to form and maintain lasting, meaningful relationships and you may feel especially sensitive to relationship disruption. These experiences do not define your identity but can often construct your core beliefs about who you are and manifest in your relationships. I will provide you with a judgment-free, shame-free space to process through the pain you have carried, identify and challenge thinking patterns that have contributed to negative beliefs about yourself, and help you establish healthy boundaries with yourself and others.

Availability (by office location):

• Federal Way – Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Kent – Wednesdays and Fridays

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