About Me

I approach each person who walks into my office with genuine curiosity, deep compassion, and—when the moment calls for it—a healthy dose of humor. What drives my work is an unwavering belief in the trans-formative power of relationship: the one you have with yourself, the connections that hold and sustain you, and your place within the larger tapestry of community and culture.

Healing happens in relationship—in those sacred moments when you feel truly seen, understood, and valued for exactly who you are. My job is to create space where that kind of authentic connection can flourish.

My Story

I'm an Oregon native, mom to two teenagers who keep me humble, and devoted servant to one very opinionated elderly cat. My path to becoming a therapist has been wonderfully winding—I've worked with at-risk youth, adults navigating memory loss, people recovering from physical injuries, designed landscapes, and taught art to kids. I hold an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and B.A. degrees in Fine Arts and German Language, with additional training in Early Childhood Education, Dance, and Pilates for rehabilitation.

This rambling career path has given me deep appreciation for the countless creative ways people adapt, survive, and find meaning in their lives. Every detour taught me something essential about human resilience.

How I Work

I believe your responses to the world—even the ones that feel problematic now—represent your inner wisdom doing its best to keep you safe and help you thrive. My role isn't to fix you (because you're not broken) but to walk alongside you with curiosity as we explore your unique story together.

You are the expert on your own life. I bring training, perspective, and a collaborative spirit, but you bring the insight that matters most. Together, we'll create a therapeutic process that honors who you are, what you value, and where you want to go.

I draw from several evidence-based approaches that complement each other beautifully:

Parts Work (Internal Family Systems) helps us understand the different aspects of yourself and how they developed to serve you

Mindfulness and Somatic Therapy reconnect you with your body's wisdom and help integrate mind-body healing

Relational-Cultural Theory explores how your relationships and cultural context have shaped your story—and how they can be sources of healing

Art Therapy offers another language when words aren't enough or when creativity wants to lead the way

For couples, I integrate the work of Terry Real and the Relational Life Institute with communication tools from Imago therapy and approaches from contemporary sex therapy. With children and teens, I blend art and play therapy with parent support, recognizing that young people heal best when their whole system is supported.

Who I Support

I work with individuals, couples, children, and teens navigating:

Life's inevitable challenges like anxiety, depression, and questions of self-worth • Relationship dynamics, intimacy, and communication struggles • Grief, loss, and major life transitions • Religious and spiritual growth, exploration, and trauma • Living with chronic illness, disability, and pain • ADHD and executive functioning differences • Gender identity, sexuality, and LGBTQ+ experiences • Career transitions and identity exploration • Trauma recovery and post-traumatic growth

My Philosophy

"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." ― Carl R. Rogers

This quote captures something essential about the therapeutic journey. Change becomes possible not through harsh self-criticism or forcing ourselves into different shapes, but through the radical act of self-acceptance. When we can meet ourselves with the same compassion we'd offer a dear friend, transformation often follows naturally.

That's the kind of space I aim to create with every person I'm privileged to work with—a place where you can be genuinely yourself and discover what becomes possible from there.