Philosophy and Approach:

I practice from a humanist perspective emphasizing the therapeutic benefits of presence, self-awareness, joy and pleasure cultivation, and emotion regulation toolkit building. I provide individual, couples, and group counseling and skills training using a variety of evidence-based approaches including but not limited to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), psychodynamic therapy, compassionate reflection, social justice, multicultural theories, and mindfulness practices. I find great value in exploring, leveraging, and tailoring findings from the stretches of interpersonal neurobiology to secular and/or spiritual meaning-making. I am oriented toward furthering individual and collective liberation from conditioning and systems that would have us believe we are anything less than whole, complete, and worthy.

 

My counseling style is warm and direct. I believe in the power of our intentions and attention, and consider presence the place from where healing and growth can be seeded and nurtured. I bring compassion and courage to the therapeutic setting and aim to meet and be with individuals unconditionally where they are, and to support them on their journey of reflection and reorientation. With great humility, I consider it the highest honor to hold space with and for others and do so from a trauma-informed perspective. I identify as ferociously inclusive and intersectional with an ever-learning and growing advocate, activist, and ally orientation. 

​

Formal Education:

I hold a Master of Arts degree in Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University (with academic distinction). I have professional training in mindfulness and meditation practices and techniques. I have also completed advanced training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and end-of-life/grief therapy modalities. I humbly recognize my education is a forever process and accordingly dedicate myself to continued processes and curriculum to best serve those I have the honor to serve.

​

Career History:

I come to this field with a wealth of life and professional experience in the education, non-profit, and start-up sectors, and as an official "tea lady" having once owned and operated my own mindfulness-based small tea shop. Counseling and presence partnering was a calling that I felt ready to answer only after meaningfully dedicating myself to my own therapy, healing practices, and reflection path over the past 25 years.

​

Fellow Human Snapshot:

I've often lived and felt most comfortable in the grey areas—the both/and vs. the either/or. I present as a cis-gender white temporarily able-bodied privileged woman. Kindred to many, the reality of who I am beneath this is far more complex. I relocated 29 times before settling in Portland where I am gratefully rooting. I have survived, healed, and grown from significant personal traumas. I am dedicated to a personal practice of contemplation, savoring life, and reducing harm and suffering. I aspire to live in the present more often than not. I value intention, best effort, presence, kindness, compassion, creativity, and action toward collective liberation from all forms of oppression. I humbly serve two very silly pups and a growing jungle of hearty houseplants. I identify as queer and celebrate and facilitate healthy exploration and expression of self-honoring sexuality. My superpower is supporting others in feeling deeply cared for, seen, and heard, in addition to very occasional wordplay or board game brilliance. I find great healing and delight in nature, especially while tuning into the magestical world of birds. 

​

Long Story Short:

Therapy is your process, paced by you, and oriented toward your vision of well-being. I'm here to unconditionally hold a safe space, reflect, and encourage. Practicing what I preach, I know and am humbled by the strength and courage required to show up, do the work, and grow through this journey. I would be delighted to connect if you think sharing presence would be supportive.