A little bit about me…

My Approach:

I am an Internal Family Systems (IFS) Institute trained therapist. IFS is the main modality I use. It is a non-pathologizing, trauma-informed, client-centered approach to counseling. That means I see you as a whole person—not a diagnosis—and I work with you to increase your connection with your Self as you grow to understand and heal your parts.

It’s important to me that you feel respected, safe, supported, and truly heard in our work together. I do my best to show up with as much of my Self as possible to meet you where you’re at. Your unique experiences and life circumstances matter, and I’ll always honor them. Whatever your psyche is doing, however your parts are manifesting, you can be sure that they are well-meaning even when no longer helpful.

When using other modalities I use them through an IFS lens. For more on this visit my Modalities page.

Education and Training:

  • I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California at San Diego in 1987. Many years and many jobs later I became a licensed Massage Therapist in the State of Oregon and found that helping others was what I wanted to do.
  • I earned my Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2022 from Adams State University in Colorado.
  • I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Oregon, #C9967. 
  • I received my IFS training from the IFS Institute, and am a Level 1 Clinician.
  • I am trained in EMDR by an EMDRIA approved training organization.

My Experience:

I have lived experience with depression, anxiety, discontinuation off psychotropic medications, and the risks and benefits of entheogen use.

I have worked with clients experiencing PTSD, paranoia, psychosis, depression, anxiety, grief, and many other other symptoms.

I have worked with clients using a broad range of modalities, interventions, and psychoeducation including Internal Family Systems (IFS), CBT, Motivational Interviewing, MBCBT, Polyvagal Theory, Breathwork, etc.

My favorite and most used modality is IFS. I have found that every other modality I know of can be explained perfectly using IFS. It’s the only modality I know of that I can say this about. It has helped me more than any other modality and it has helped more of my clients than any other modality I use.

If you’re interested in learning about IFS and how I view other modalities through an IFS lens, please see my Modalities page.