About
Every person you come into contact with represents an entire history lived, roads traveled down that inform their approach to the world and everything in it. My roads have been informative and beautiful, teaching me the importance of the journey as well as the destination.
My journey began in Southern California, where I attended school with students from all over the world, making friends with people whose birthplaces and cultural anchors ranged from Central and Southeast Asia to countries throughout South America. Through these friendships, I learned the importance of endeavoring to explore and understand the various cultures of the world and the dangers of assuming that mine was the only and best way to do things.
As a young adult, I lived in the Baltic States of Eastern Europe, learning Russian in the process (and how to ask for ice cream in Estonian). When I came back to the States, I found my view on life had grown further, fueling a desire to pursue a career in counseling where I could work face to face with people to help improve their lives. I completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Utah Valley University, followed by a Master’s Degree in Existential (Hermeneutic and Phenomenological) Psychology from Seattle University. My education strengthened my belief that the most important thing to consider in working with people is what they want to accomplish, and how they want to do it.
My experiences in the mental health community have been diverse and informative, including: working in an intensive outpatient program for pre-adolescents and teenagers with emotional dysregulation and behavioral concerns; providing on-site therapeutic support for teenagers at a public school in West Seattle; twice-weekly in-home counseling with families in crisis in the greater Boston area, including trauma support and psychoeducation; psychometric testing and report writing for children and adolescents assessing cognitive and academic achievement and exploring the presence of mental health concerns, including depression and autism; running a group foster home, including providing therapy for all of the residents and setting house rules, expectations, and consequences while also managing household staff; and working in collaboration with individuals and families in private practice. In total, I have been working in this field since 2007 in one capacity or another. It is my passion, and I am committed to providing the best quality care for everyone I come into contact with.
Education and Licensure Information
Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Utah Valley University
Master of Arts, Psychology, Seattle University
Licensed Professional Counselor, State of Texas License Number 81966
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, State of Washington License Number LH 60696781
Certified in Theme Centered Interaction