Therapists in Puyallup, WA

First, I believe it is my duty to be able to actively listen to my client, obtain a good understanding of where they are and where they want to go. Together, we will move you and/or your team or organization in the desired direction to reach your goals. As a young man growing up in North Chicago, I quickly learned that life is full of rewards and upsets, if I allowed it to happen. At 3 months old, I was abandoned by my mother, left inside of a garbage can in an alley waiting to die. However, life had other plans for me. A passerby heard my faint cries and pulled me from the garbage can. Later, I was adopted but went on to experience years of physical and emotional abuse by my adopted mother. At the age of 12, I ran away from home and was placed in foster care. I was adopted again, but I experienced more mental and physical abuse. I dropped out of the 9th grade and began running away again. At the age of 16, the authorities declared me an emancipated teenager. With a story like mine, you would probably think there was no hope for finding happiness or for finding quality of life. However, I have learned to use my negative experiences as a testimony to reach out and help others.

I have been in private practice since 1994, providing services for children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples. As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, I have learned to treat a variety of conditions including Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Personality Disorders, marital problems, and other issues. I also provide a variety of assessment services including disability evaluations, psychological evaluations, custody evaluations, intelligence and academic achievement assessment, and personality assessments. I provide in person and telehealth options for treatment.

Counseling is a brave and wonderful step and finding a positive therapeutic relationship without judgement is necessary for change and growth. Our counselors believe in a client centered, strength-based approach. They have training and experience in several modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, solutions focused treatment and are experienced in the emotional, physical, and spiritual impacts of trauma.

Talk therapy is great, but what many of the people I work with have missed in past therapy experiences is how to implement what they have learned about themselves into their real life. Self-regulation is key and after establishing a solid foundation using skills training for increasing distress tolerance and emotion regulation, I work with people to get at the root of the problems they are experiencing by using EMDR therapy and other interventions that address the core stuff, which is often the stuff that has kept us stuck in patterns that hurt. From there, we can work on improving your relationships and personal development.