Qualifications & Experience

I earned my Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy from Walden University and my Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Gonzaga University.

I am certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Motivational Interviewing, and Incredible Years treatment methods.

I completed my graduate school internship at the YWCA program for women and children experiencing domestic violence. I have also worked with children and their families at Frontier Behavioral Health, providing wraparound services to youth and children in the WISe program. After graduate school, I continued to work with children and families at Partners with Families. Here I worked for both families with current DCYF involvement and at the Child Advocacy Center working with families and children who were in the beginning stages of a sexual assault investigation.

My Call to Christian Counseling

As a teenager I was fascinated with the science behind how our brains work and what factors influence an individual’s thoughts and actions. When I started school for my Bachelor’s degree, I knew I would pursue a degree in psychology. My undergraduate studies led to a growing interest in mental health. I completed my Master’s degree in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling because I am passionate about the functioning of the family system. I specifically like working within how our thoughts, feelings, and actions affect our relationships and family environment.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

I have three wonderful children and am very close to my extended family. I am fortunate enough to have all my family living within the Spokane area, including my parents and brothers, who also have their own families. Some of my favorite activities and days include my family getting together and watching all the cousins making memories. I love living in the great northwest with all the seasons this area has to offer. During the summer we spend our time at the lake, camping, and fishing, and in the winter, we go sledding at Grandma’s house.

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

• Couples Counseling
• Marriage Counseling
• Trauma / EMDR
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Individual Counseling
• Family Counseling
• Relationship Issues
• Group Counseling

Family Counseling

My passion is to help families better understand one another and form a family unit that loves and glorifies God. I have worked with many families facing crisis to restore hope and build a lasting connection that carried them through the years to come.

I truly believe that each family member contributes to the health and wellbeing of the family unit. In counseling, I offer an environment where each member of the family can be heard, validated, and feel as if they are essential to the family. I help families identify their unique strengths and the roles that each member plays in order to restore peace and joy in the home.

I have years of experience working with families who have adopted children and are seeking healing and harmony within their family. I have also worked with many families with a history of substance use or criminal involvement who are seeking a new life in Christ and restoration for their family.

Whatever challenges your family is facing, I look forward to joining with you in understanding your family dynamics, building trust, and discovering what God has planned for your family.

Couples Counseling

The intimate relationship of two individuals is the building block of the family unit. In this busy world, it’s common for couples to struggle to maintain their connection as a result, may find themselves drifting apart.

Whether you are experiencing difficulties due to poor communication, unmet needs, previous trauma or substance use, or infidelity, couples counseling can help. In couples counseling you will learn to reconnect with your partner and obtain a deeper understanding of their needs and wants. It can be challenging to communicate your most intimate needs with your spouse. Couples counseling provides a safe place to learn to communicate on a deeper level and explore who you are together.

Trauma

I have an extensive history working with families, couples, and individuals who have experienced trauma. Terrible things happen to good people, and every person responds to trauma differently. As an EMDR therapist, I view traumatic experiences as events that can treated, and I believe that healing is possible.

I have worked with children who have been victims of sexual assault, women and children who have experienced domestic violence, and a vast multitude of other traumatic experiences. Every brain responds differently to traumatic experiences, and therefore each person’s body responds differently as well. Counseling can provide understanding about how your body and brain have specifically responded to the trauma you have endured.

While bad things do happen to good people, God never intended for you to suffer for the rest of your life. Healing is possible, and you don’t have to carry the weight of it with you anymore. There are no scars too deep or too old. I look forward to speaking with you to help you write a new chapter in your life.

Domestic Violence

I specialize in working with women and children who have experienced domestic violence. There is a misunderstanding within our culture that physical abuse is the only form of domestic violence. In reality, there are multiple forms of domestic violence, including spiritual abuse, financial abuse, psychological abuse, and emotional abuse.

In Spokane, the rates of domestic violence are higher than the national average of 1 in 4 women. In Spokane, 1 in 3 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.

If you were previously in an abusive relationship and need help restoring your relationship with your children or want to learn how to talk about it with them, counseling can help. If you are not sure if your relationship is abusive but it doesn’t feel good when your partner does some things, counseling can help you explore your needs within that relationship and what it means to have a healthy relationship.

Being ready to enter into another relationship after experiencing an abusive relationship can be a terrifying process. Counseling can build a better understanding of a healthy relationship and the qualities you are looking for in a partner. Whatever your stage in healing or experience with domestic violence, it would be my honor to help you find healing with God’s help.

Anxiety and Depression

I have worked for years with youth and young adults who experience depression and anxiety. It is not the will of God that you live your life in fear with no motivation to pursue your purpose in life. I have counseled many individuals who experience suicidal thoughts or have previously attempted suicide due to the impact of depression and anxiety in their lives.

Intrusive thoughts and negative beliefs about yourself can have a lasting effect on your relationships, education, job, and walk with God. If you are struggling with depression or anxiety, there is hope for you. Let’s work together to explore the root of your anxiety and/or depression and get you on the track that you want to be.

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):

• Spokane Valley – Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for Individuals, Couples, and Groups 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 some 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) and a Licensed Marriage and Family  Therapist Associate (LMFTA), 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.