About Me

I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Washington. 

I hold an MA in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Chapman University and a BA in Business with a minor in Psychology from the University of Washington. I am also a Clinical fellow of the American Association for Marriage Family Therapy AAMFT, and the Washington State Association for Marriage Family Therapy WAMFT. 

My story may be a  bit different from some other therapists, as I returned to school later in life, embarking on a new career path, after I realized a much needed change was in order. After 20 years of owning my own retail businesses, I felt the desire to learn something new. I wished to begin a new chapter in the 'helping profession'. Life experience, coupled with my training as a Marriage Family Therapist and Mental Health Counselor, enable me to better understand, relate to and counsel clients on ways to improve their lives. 

My Training:

I was extremely fortunate to complete my internship training at the Madigan Army Substance Abuse Program working with deploying and returning personnel from Joint Base Lewis McChord Army Base. During my time at Madigan special emphasis was placed on specific issues I would encounter such as post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse. My training included individual and group therapy work. 

Recent training with Dr. David Burns in his new approach called T.E.A.M. therapy, including many cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, along with cognitive behavioral therapy training from renowned expert Donald Meichenbaum, has enriched my knowledge of specific techniques to assist my clients with ways to change behavior and thought patterns, while looking at issues in a different light. 

Mindfulness training has given me tools to assist clients with ways to live life in the present while creating more awareness of emotional responses. Though change is never easy, through change we are often presented with new chapters in our life which may prove to be much more satisfying.  

Level one training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, a world renowned approach based on years of research by Dr. John Gottman and his wife Dr. Julie Gottman has given me the clinical tools necessary to evaluate and assist couples in their quest for relationship improvement. The Gottman Method Couples Therapy involves the study of emotions, physiology and communication.