Client's Comments, 2019

I am an Oregon Trail Blazer-era eldest of all the cousins, born to a set of young parents who divorced by the time I was 5. I am a mama of two multiracial kids whom I homeschooled a few years and who're now in a great public school. I am going through a lengthy divorce process myself and I have a deep respect for the pain, struggle of "to stay or to leave", and difficulty of trying to repair the marital relationship independently of your spouse. I am a fan of personal medical freedom, parental rights, and leading your family by example. When I'm "off", I live for outdoorsy adventures (traveling, hiking, & fishing) and live music events. I am a prolific reader, enthusiastic board game player, and I still appreciate the art of sending actual tangible letters in the mail. People share that they really appreciate my ability to remain authentic even when the conversation is difficult.

 

I truly believe the only way to get better is to get "through it together" rather than "over it alone". I stay active, I pay attention, and I care to leave everything and everyone a little bit better off than when I first arrived, if I can help it. If not, I accept the things and enjoy the enjoyable parts. 

 

My Approach

I am integrative in my approach in that I focus on physical, spiritual, and mental health and wellness. I am also highly intuitive- I use the sixth sense of intuition to guide my listening and decision making about next steps in the process of therapy. I enjoy people, being empathetic, ensuring you feel safe in the room and relationship, and working towards building the life you want the way you want with some humor and kindness along the way.

 

CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS

*Certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine Professional (certified in 2021): utilize naturopath, holistic, and integrative approaches to support overall wellness. Interventions focus on education and skills regarding sleep/wake cycles, nutrition, movement, sensory healing, and more. 

* Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT or Tapping, trained in 2019)- quickly address and eliminate sources of anxiety and pain (including traumatic memories, panic, specific phobias, and physical pain) using light acupressure and cognitive behavioral talk therapy interventions.

* Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST, certified in 2017)- suicide first aid for those thinking about suicide, to connect and de-escalate the crisis.

* Seeking Safety (trained in 2016)- harm reduction model for working with both addiction and trauma related issues for adults (or mature teens).

* Dialectic Behavior Therapy (DBT, trained in 2015 and practiced in group partial hospitalization setting with teens until 2018.)- focuses on reducing destructive behaviors by teaching skills related to regulating emotions, interacting in relationships, tolerating distress, and mindfulness meditation.

* Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT, trained in 2013)- structured help for individuals suffering with stress related to a past trauma or series of traumatic events

* Crisis prevention, support, and safety planning (trained in 2008).

* Mental health assessment (trained in 2004 at work and 2010 in grad school)​