Philosophy and Approach: I believe that people develop within relationships - in other words, we affect others and are affected by them. Having an emotionally fulfilling relationship with ourself and others is important for our mental, physical, social, and spiritual health. Sometimes the way we act, react, and experience emotions within relationships becomes challenging. Our ability to process information gets stuck and we develop negative patterns of interacting. These patterns make it difficult to maintain a healthy and adaptive relationship with ourselves and others. My approach draws upon Emotionally Focused Therapy, as well as ideas from developmental, systems, and attachment theories. I work collaboratively with clients to explore how past relationships and life experiences influence current emotional and behavioral patterns which cause conflict and disconnection. Together we identify and alter the emotional and behavioral patterns that are no longer working, and transform them into positive interrelational patterns.



Formal Education and Training: I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Family Studies and Gerontology from Oregon State University, and a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from George Fox University. Major coursework includes Human Growth and Development, Personality and Counseling, Human Sexuality, Social & Cultural Foundations, Psychopathology, Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, and Relationship Assessment. Specialized coursework includes Emotion Focused Couples Therapy, Play Therapy, Child Parent Relationship Therapy, and Sandtray Therapy.


Licensure: I am currently registered with the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists, and am pursuing state licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).