Every person comes to counseling with a unique background and need. In some situations ways of dealing with things that were effective in the past may no longer work. Others may be seeking enhanced wellness or balance in their lives. 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. 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.
Often the counseling process involves identifying one’s values, as well as one’s beliefs about oneself and the world. 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. As a Registered Intern of the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists I abide by its Code of Ethics.