I work with clients of all ages, stages, and presenting problems, but specialize in treating individuals experiencing anxiety and mood disorders, difficult life transitions, grief and loss, and trauma.
CREDENTIALS
I've worked in health and human services for 25 years. I have a master's degree in social work (2003) and a bachelor's degree with studies in sociology and psychology (2001). I earned my clinical social work license in Washington State (LW60003656) after a 3-year period of postgraduate supervised experience and passing a national clinical exam (2006). Post-licensure, I completed an additional 2 years + required supervisory training to qualify as an approved supervisor for licensure candidates. With a passion for lifelong learning, I've also completed countless annual continuing education courses, attend professional conferences, am a member of several professional associations, and continually work to improve my skills so I can help the people I serve more effectively.
EXPERIENCE
The application of theory in practice is where I learned to distill complex concepts into practical help for those who need it. I've worked in inpatient, residential, day treatment, in-home, school-based, and outpatient services settings across the continuum of care with children, adolescents, families, couples, young adults, older adults, and everyone in between. My primary treatment model is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I also incorporate elements from many other treatment modalities and adapt my treatment approach based on each individual's unique needs. I provide compassionate and competent trauma-informed care and consider direct clinical practice work with clients to be the greatest privilege of my professional life.
KITTY CO-THERAPIST
Sofia (also known as Le Chat Noir Deux) is my favorite co-worker of all time. I didn't previously expect to say that about an office mate who constantly steals my chair, occasionally chews my pens and charger cables, and often uses my laptop as a belly warmer, but she more than makes up for it with her Yoda green eyes and sparkling personality. Clients have witnessed Sofia hilariously photobomb a session or two since she was adopted from a shelter in 2021. She has a cozy cat cave under my desk (though she prefers to drape herself over the expensive laser printer) and serves as my companion, consultant, and constant shadow. I honestly couldn't offer telehealth appointments or work remotely without her.
HOW I SPEND TIME
OUTSIDE OF WORK
I love what I do professionally. That said, having a life outside of work is how I've managed to keep going in a profession with an extraordinarily high burnout rate all these years.
When I'm not in the office, I love spending time with my husband, our grown sons, family, friends, and feline. I'm an opera and classical music nerd (although I also enjoy a rather disturbingly eclectic collection of musical genres). Film scores are my favorite. If I hadn't become a therapist, I was previously on a path to pursue my dream of becoming a studio musician (no regrets). I love photography and have had the privilege of traveling the world. A humble domestic road trip involving fried chicken on a stick or gas station corn dogs, however, is a close second in my book. I also geek out pretty hard on interior design and domestic pursuits. You'll often find me cooking, cleaning, cursing my way through various home improvement projects (that looked so much simpler on YouTube), binge-watching my latest favorite show, reading, writing, and running (very slowly) on the treadmill or track while blasting an eclectic music playlist or self-improvement podcast.
