Family Therapy in Sandy, OR

I specialize in working with couples, families and individuals who are ready to address concerns about themselves and their relationships in order to live a happier and more satisfying life. I offer professional counseling services in a setting that is comfortable, safe and private. My work is grounded in family systems but is also influenced by a humanistic perspective and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) with proven tools taken from other modalities as needed. My goal is to offer growth and healing by working with clients in a way that will best match them and the issues they are addressing.

It's my privilege to work as a Mental Health Counselor. I offer a safe, non judgmental, place where people can explore their thoughts, feelings, and concerns. I have expertise addressing relationship conflicts, child/parent struggles, separation/divorce, substance abuse, and codependency issues. When we are suffering and in need of counseling we sometimes endure a great deal before we recognize there is a problem that needs to be addressed. If you find yourself struggling in any one of these areas call me to help you find the joy in everyday life.

Social Work, Advocacy, Therapy. I specialize in systems work, CBT, narrative therapy, mindfulness and somatic interventions, and trauma work. I enjoy helping clients reach their goals and make lasting changes. I am a clinical social worker specializing in work with adolescents, young adults, and families; my comfortable age range is ages 14-40.

The Secret Room is the ancient word for chrysalis.Its within the walls of the chrysalis "the safe and protected space" that total transformation takes place. It is the secrets that are within our family systems the secrets that we keep from ourselves and the secrets that others keep that we need to be freed from. Within the safety of The Secret Room you will be able to transform to your highest potential and unveil the secrets that hold you back from the life you truly want and deserve!

I am a proud professional counselor. In the last ten years of my career I have worked with university students and individuals with severe persistent mental illness. I was drawn to working in higher education because university students are often times ready to change and dive into working on growing as people and developing new patterns of behavior. I enjoy helping anyone willing to take a few moments to try an experiment with their thoughts, or try something new. It may be a bit anxiety provoking at times but it helps us all to grow and change. I aspire to be an expert in helping clients find relief from their issues.

Life can get overwhelming at times. Often, stressful events, deep feelings of woundedness, feeling cut off from joy, and simply not feeling good about yourself or your relationship(s) get to the point where you know it is time to face these difficulties. As challenging as these things are, they can be the catalyst for change. I am available to help you with anxiety, sadness, grief, loss, and relationship issues and to experience life's challenges in ways that promote healing and wholeness and connect with what you truly want, need, and already have in your heart.

CURRENT OPENING Life is a journey! Do you feel overwhelmed, distressed, disconnected or lost, is your life hard to navigate. I believe that compassionate, reflective therapy can help restore vitality and renew hope. Individuals, couples, children/families, experience emotional struggles and challenging behaviors because of the impact of a variety of past and present variables, not because of weakness. Symptoms/Behaviors are simply indicators of need, and actually illuminate innate strength that guides healing. I'mabout collaborating with you to build strengths, explore barriers to enjoyment of life, and create a joyful resilience.

Our brains are pre-programmed to try almost anything to maximize our chances of getting our needs met. Sometimes, our brain tries to meet these needs for safety, peace, and connection in ways that don’t seem to work like they used to. If something feels slightly out of sync - I want to hear about it. If the wheels have come off completely, and everything feels like chaos - I want to hear about it. You deserve support and expertise as you let go of the things that used to work and open up to new solutions and perspectives. Whether this is exhilarating or terrifying, just know you don't have to do this alone.

Do you find yourself struggling with feelings of worry, anxiety, or stress on a daily basis? Are you someone who struggles with self acceptance, negative thoughts, and finding your value in the world? Maybe you are dealing with past trauma that is affecting you in the present. Maybe you are experiencing difficulty coping and feel burnt out. You are tired of surviving and want to find a way to thrive in your life. You want to experience fulfilling relationships with others and with yourself. I care deeply about developing a strong therapeutic relationship where you feel seen, heard, and understood.

The therapeutic experience should encourage one to live a more satisfying and meaningful life. Everyone has a unique journey through this world and the sum of the experiences along the way (good or bad) make us as individual. Sometimes we get lost, hit bumps, or even get overcome with a tidal wave of things that we need help getting back on our path or creating a new one.

It is a privilege to come alongside clients in their most challenging time to help them to heal, resolve conflict and recover from the hard that life can bring. I believe clients are the experts of their experience and I am a resource to help the attain their goals. I work collaboratively with my clients to create a safe and trusting environment that supports their discovery of internal strengths, hope, and resiliency.

I enjoy working with older teens and adults who are experiencing struggles with ADHD, Anxiety, Parenting, Depression and Eating-related issues.

Sometimes when the world feels overwhelming, we don't connect how past abuse has led us to emotions that feel out of control. It's like when stress builds up over lots of little things and you finally snap at someone you care about in a way you didn't mean. Or feeling overly tired of trying to live in this world because every choice you make seems hard and a large amount of effort. These are things I can help with. Additionally - if you are struggling with your significant other, like feeling not heard, or having problems in the bedroom, or feeling like you are carrying more than your share; we can work on this together.

Thanks for looking at my profile. I recently changed my focus to working more with adoptive parents as well as teen and adult adopted persons. As an adoptive parent myself, I have focused for the last nine years on education and training that has made me a more adoption competent therapist and parent. Parents, if your child has special needs, learning disabilities, or experience with trauma I know it can be especially hard to set aside the time to get help for yourself, but I hope you call. Teens and young adult adopted persons, I want to walk alongside you as you take on the tough task of finding identity. You deserve to be heard!

Our therapist-client relationship is one that relies on our shared wisdom. You are the expert in the subject area of you, while I bring over 20 years of therapeutic knowledge and experience. I have worked with individuals and families across the lifespan including: teens, adults, and seniors. I use a variety of therapeutic approaches and interventions. I hold a Masters Degree in Counseling and am an LPC and LMHC. I am accepting Oregon Health Plan members who work with Columbia County CCO and Care Oregon Healthshare CCO.

I specialize in providing support to heal the effects of trauma - single event, childhood, complex chronic, and acute types. I also treat anxiety, depression, parenting concerns, grief, & stress from work or family, or from life-changing events. I provide a safe and caring place for feeling, learning, and healing. I help adolescents and adults learn to navigate life's challenges.

NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS. Life can be comfortable, enjoyable and satisfying. My goal is to help you create a life without constant struggle and stress. Counseling can provide the time and focus to help you understand your experiences, thoughts and feelings. Having a trusted and competent helper to support you through the process is a key to using counseling successfully. Together we can work to better understand what isn't working and create solutions that will lead to success, the way you define it. I can help you reduce stress and suffering and improve overall life enjoyment and functioning.

Do you ask yourself, "Why did I do that"? Are you telling yourself, "I need to just get over it"? Anxiety and regret can be constant reminders that eat away at your self-worth. Let's quiet those worries and build you up with easy strategies utilized in daily life.