Nice to meet you...

ABOUT ME

I grew up in Spokane, in the Valley, and lived here until I turned 19 years old. After that, I spent time living in Seattle and Los Angeles and then moved back to Spokane to raise my daughter. Decades later, I'm married to a firefighter and we have four adult children and two Boxer dogs, Walter and Payton (my husband is a huge Bears fan!). Our family is a blended one, like many are these days, and I know how fortunate I am to be able to say I'm happily married to the man of my dreams. Our family has had its share of challenges but we fight hard and try always to come out on top. I share this last sentiment because people often think therapists have picture-perfect lives, and that just isn't true.

When I first became a clinician I worked in community mental health and only with children, adolescents, and teens. Now, in private practice, my passion focuses on helping adults learn how to give and receive unconditional love. That takes form in a variety of ways. I think it's vitally important to develop the skill of positivity. Research shows that practicing gratitude and positive psychology leads to feeling happier, more resiliency, and a life that is more fulfilling. In my experience I've found that trauma and unconditional love are interrelated, and so I've tailored my practice to align with the two conditions I think have the biggest impact on people.

Starting therapy can be difficult and intimidating, but investing in yourself and your relationships is one of the most life-changing things you can do.

My methods

EXPERIENCE

EMDR

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, commonly known as EMDR, is a therapy method. EMDR treats mental health conditions that happen because of memories from traumatic events in your past

Person-Centered therapy

Person-centered therapy is grounded in the idea that people are inherently motivated toward achieving positive psychological functioning. The client is believed to be the expert in their life and leads the general direction of therapy, while the therapist takes a non-directive role.

CBT

Cognitive behavioral therapy is an evidence-based method that focuses on the connection between our thoughts, feelings and behaviors. It involves identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and "re-programming" the way your brain has learned to respond to perceptions. These tools can be implemented immediately and the focus is on what people think rather than what they do.

Gottman Method

The Sound Relationship House Theory is the foundation of the Gottman Method, It provides valuable clinical information by pinpointing specific strengths and challenges in your relationship, while also suggesting actionable, research-based recommendations for therapy.

I use a person-centered approach to support my clients while gently pushing them toward their goals. My specialties are in couple's therapy, diagnosing and treating post-traumatic stress, and helping first responders assimilate and process their experiences. Using evidence-based treatments like The Gottman Method, EMDR, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I have been able to help clients save relationships and heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that result from adverse life experiences. Your life shouldn't center around the terrible things that have happened to you - it should be about what you've accomplished in spite of it.

EDUCATION

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Health

(TF-CBT)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

(EMDR)

Levels 1-3 of the Gottman Method

Certifications/Training

Licenses

Experience

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) - WA

Child Mental Health Specialist (CMHS) - WA

Mental Health Professional (MHP) - WA

Lutheran Community Services - Crisis Response Advocate

Stop the Silence -speaker on child sex abuse

Freeman High School - post-incident crisis response team

Frontier Behavioral Health - Chid & Family Clinician III

The Whole Brain Child - educator for parenting curriculum based on the book and workbook

Forms

New Patients

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