FAQs
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I offer a 20-minute phone consultation to assess our fit, which is one of the most important aspects of success in therapy. If we decide that working together would be a good fit, then we would move forward with setting up an appointment and completing paperwork. After engaging in a few sessions we will discuss your treatment goals and outline strategies moving forward.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I obtained a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology at the University of Northern Iowa. My theoretical foundation is rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); however, I draw from Humanistic, Social Psychological, and Creative Processing Theories. I have completed training with The Linehan Institute, Behavioral Tech, with a Level 3 Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Skills Training certification. I am also a member of a DBT Consult Team, which allows for well-rounded care by having a source of feedback on best practices and alternate techniques. I am currently completing CBT Plus certification from the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center, focusing on treatment interventions for anxiety, depression, behavioral management, and trauma.
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
For the past 11 years, I have served others as a volunteer, advocate, and Mental Health Therapist. My passion began in crisis response and victim advocacy, centering my efforts on trauma-related issues in the context of community mental health and outreach services. For over 5 years, I have worked alongside inner city women and children who have been affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and complex trauma. While obtaining my graduate degree, I completed a yearlong practicum providing individual and group counseling to adults, youth, and children experiencing severe and persistent mental health issues. I transitioned to the Pacific Northwest to expand my therapeutic skills and assist clients in finding balance, acceptance, and meaningful change. I am currently based in Seattle, and I have been fortunate to have served as a Women’s Advocate, Behavioral Coach, Geriatric Counselor, Homeless Youth Therapist, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Skills Group Facilitator.