Philosophy and Approach

Every person comes to therapy with a unique background and need.  Counseling begins with a safe and supportive relationship. Each person seeking counseling deserves to be seen and respected as an individual, and the counseling process must reflect this individuality.  Some clients may benefit from mindfulness approaches, and others from looking deeply at their beliefs about the world or themselves, others may find support in finding ways to be less judgmental of themselves.  It is my job as a counselor to help my clients plan and use their personal strengths, resources, and supports to find new ways to live.

I use research-informed approaches to help my clients identify problem areas, create goals, and try new ways of doing things that work for them in their unique situation.  My theoretical approach to counseling is integrative, but draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (a type of CBT), and Existential Theory.  Sessions often include talking about thoughts, feelings, actions, relationships, goals, values, choices, behavioral patterns, and beliefs, as wells as how these elements interact together.  Therapy sessions can also include education about mental health, visualization, relaxation exercises, CBT-I (insomnia), basic biofeedback, EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and mindfulness techniques.  Everyone goes at their own pace; there is no “right” time frame for completing therapy.  It is about individual need.  As a Professional Counselor who is licensed with the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists I abide by its Code of Ethics.

Formal Education and Training

I hold a Master’s Degree (MA) in Counseling Psychology from Lewis & Clark College, Graduate School of Education and Counseling and hold professional membership in the American Counseling Association.  I am also a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor I (CADC I), a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and a Professional Counselor (LPC) licensed with the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists.  My training includes: working with individuals and families; lifespan development; treating people experiencing anxiety and depression; cultural diversity; treating people who have experienced trauma and abuse; treating individuals with personality disorders; interpersonal effectiveness and communication strategies; diagnosis and assessment; Somatic Psychology; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT); Motivational Interviewing; EMDR; CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy); CBT-I (CBT for insomnia); treating people with addictions; couples counseling/relationship therapy/family therapy; and other treatments, modalities and interventions.

Aspects of Mental Health Addressed

Fee and Session Information

My current rate is $160 for a 60-minute session, but I do have a sliding scale based on client need.  I am currently seeing individual adults and couples.  I am currently a preferred provider with Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon, and am also on panels with Pacific Source, Aetna, HealthNet/MHN, Optum/UHC/Providence, Cigna, and MODA.  Some people have out-of-network benefits with their insurance provider that may cover all or part of the cost of the sessions.  Couples counseling/relationship therapy is often not covered by insurance.

If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please contact me at your earliest convenience.  In most cases there is a charge for cancellations made with less than 24-hour advanced notice.

In case of a mental health emergency between scheduled appointments, please call the Multnomah County Crisis Line at (503) 988-4888 or go to a hospital.  911 is a phone number that can be dialed in the case of an emergency as well.

Contact Information