Qualifications & Experience

I have an MA in Counseling Psychology from City University of Seattle-Bellevue in Bellevue, WA, a BA in Law & Justice/Minor-Psychology from Central Washington University-Ft. Steilacoom in Lakewood, WA, and an AAS and an AA in Paralegal Studies, Certificate-Legal Office Professions from Pierce College-Ft. Steilacoom in Lakewood, WA.

I have been counseling professionally for over 15 years, working with dual diagnosis, co-occurring mental/behavioral health populations, and previously with substance use disorder populations for about six years. I have worked across various systems to include mental health, court/legal, social services, and housing systems. I have worked with diverse populations including adults, children and families, geriatric, groups, and clients with cognitive challenges. My most recent position included diagnosing psychiatric disorders under the guidelines of the Washington State Department of Health and the policies of various city, county and state agencies.

My Call to Christian Counseling

I decided to pursue a career in counseling after personally witnessing a domestic violence assault of a close friend.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

I have three beautiful adult daughters, six beautiful grandchildren, and a dog named Bella Marie. Some of my hobbies and interests include reading, praying, meditation, listening to inspirational music and video podcasts, and a passion for encouraging, motivating, and serving others.

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

• ADHD
• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Codependency
• Depression
• Grief and Loss
• Group Counseling
• Individual Counseling
• Online Counseling
• Personal Development/Self-Esteem Issues
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Professional Development
• Relationship Issues
• Spiritual Development
• Trauma
• Women’s Issues

Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are very common challenges for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. The good news is that several tools are available to help manage the symptoms associated with anxiety and depression, and there are effective methods to help you cope better and eventually overcome these conditions. In our sessions, I will utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotional Behavior Therapy (REBT), and Motivational Interviewing, depending on your unique needs, to include Daily Mood Logs and other testing instruments such as GAD-7 and/or PHQ-9 weekly to assess mood and Level of Risk.

Bipolar Disorder

The signs and ramifications of bipolar disorder can be very challenging for both the individual experiencing the condition as well as their loved ones. Through Christian counseling for bipolar disorder, you do not have to suffer alone. Depending on your unique situation and needs, I will work with you using a variety of proven therapeutic methods and interventions to help you better manage your condition.

Grief and Loss

Grief can feel like never-ending darkness with no hope in sight. You don’t have to walk through this pain alone. Hope is possible. Healing is possible. Joy is possible. I will use my professional training, personal experience, and relationship with God to walk with you through the various stages of grief as you learn new tools to help you rely on Christ and find the light again in the midst of your grief and loss.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The effects of trauma can be widespread and long-lasting. Sometimes a person might not even realize that the symptoms they are experiencing are related to PTSD. If you’ve endured a traumatic experience in any form, counseling for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can be very effective. Depending on your individual needs and situation, we may utilize various trauma-focused modalities, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and/or Rational Emotional Behavior Therapy (REBT) to help you overcome the symptoms you’re facing.

Relationship Issues

Relationships are complex and complicated. Any number of issues can arise when two or more sinful individuals are interacting with each other. With God’s help, it’s possible to learn healthy, God-honoring ways of relating to others that will increase the level of peace and joy in your life. No matter what you might be dealing with in your relationships, Christian counseling can be a very useful tool to improve the quality of your interactions with others, and therefore improve the quality of your life and overall health and well-being.

Spiritual Development

If you’re looking to grow in your relationship with God or work through some questions you have about faith, I invite you to consider counseling for spiritual development. In our sessions, I will use Christian counseling concepts to assess and collaborate with you on what your spiritual goals are and help you develop a Spiritual Development Plan specific to your unique needs and faith walk which could include prayer, the Word of God, and other spiritual and faith-building tools.

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 – Wednesday & Friday
• Online (WA only)

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals 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.

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.