Trauma Focused Therapists in Beaverton, OR

I approach therapy from a place of curiosity, compassion, honest communication, and non-judgement. All parts of you will be welcomed and valued in our work together. Whether you are processing trauma and painful life experiences, navigating conflict and reactivity in your relationships, grieving a loss or change in your life, feeling overwhelmed or stuck in emotions such as shame, anger, anxiety, depression, unworthiness, disconnection, loneliness, or lack of motivation, I am here to guide you through the process of deepening your relationship to yourself so that you can make meaningful, lasting change that aligns with your values.

Being human isn't always easy, no matter how much we would like it to be. Sometimes we experience events and relationship challenges that shake us to the core, leave our emotions raw, and challenge everything that we think we believe about the world. One of my passions is helping individuals and couples to find coping strategies, process through the difficulties they are facing, and help them move towards healing and growth. I offer a compassionate space that honors all of the emotions and experiences my clients bring to the room, and allow them to process at their own pace, while encouraging them to face difficult things.

Counseling for Lasting Positive Change: I offer counseling for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, identity development, trauma, life transitions (parenting, divorce, and empty nest) and for those wanting to work on relationships. If you want to change your role in how you handle current life circumstances, the clearest path is by making positive changes in your own life. Let me help you navigate this path to your change.

Welcome & hello. Thank you for taking the time to read my professional biography. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Certified DBT Counselor, a National Certified Counselor, and a Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist; dedicated to improving the mental health and overall wellness of my clients. I bring extensive clinical experience, over 25 years, utilizing cognitive-behavioral techniques, (CBT), dialectical behavioral techniques, (DBT), solution-focused skills, as well as strength-based problem solving techniques. My experience also includes significant work with children, teens, adults, and their families.

When we feel stuck in patterns or held back by our pasts, it's hard to feel like we're living the lives we want. Reaching out to a therapist can be the first step in claiming your life as your own. Are you searching for direction or meaning in your life? Feeling stuck in a job, a relationship, or a recurring pattern? Feel like past or present pain is keeping you from being the person you want to be or living the life you want to live? Let's explore what brought you to this place in your life and help you find the path to being the best you that you want to be!

I provide behavioral therapy and parent training for young children demonstrating challenging behaviors at home or at school. I also provide therapy services for children, adolescents, and young adults experiencing significant difficulties with anxiety, ADHD, and/or depression. A primary speciality of mine is working with parents to better understand their children and their children's unique parenting needs. Starting in March 2023 I will open up spots in my practice to work specifically with parents experiencing perinatal mental health disorders such as perinatal anxiety or depression.

I provide counseling focused on transformation. My practice is grounded in wonder and awe, and is informed by the latest neurobiology. Together we will learn about how you are stuck and then collaborate with your nervous system to advance changes you are seeking. My work is trauma-informed, anti-racist, queer/trans affirming, fat/body positive, embraces diversity of neurotypes, economic experiences, and abilities. I use Internal Family Systems (IFS) to promote cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioral transformation and unburden anxious, fear, and/or critical parts.

I firmly believe that each and every one of us does the best we can. I work with adults, teens, youth and families. I approach teens and youth just as I do adults, in a respectful, supportive, and understanding manner. I work to understand the root of the "problem," so healing may begin. I specialize in trauma, skills training, parent training, anxiety, and depression. For 12 years I worked at an inpatient setting with emotionally disturbed youth and their families. I have educated myself in a multitude of treatment modalities in order to meet each client where they are at.

Making the decision to seek professional help takes courage when feeling overwhelmed and sometimes hopeless that nothing will change. I believe therapy works and can help make that change easier and quicker than you might think. I work with individuals, families and children with compassion, persistence and skills to identify these changes and create a plan that is designed for you. My clients are families that may be facing a difficult transition or grief, a child or teen anxious, withdrawn, angry or out of control. Parents that are exhausted, feeling overwhelmed, and fearful of what is happening to their child.

I believe that as humans we all experience suffering, and sometimes those negative experiences can impact the way we view ourselves, others, and the world. Stressful or traumatic experiences can lead to depression, anxiety, sleep issues, avoidance, and negative thoughts and emotions, including anger, guilt or shame. Many mental health issues and destructive patterns are developed out of difficult or traumatic experiences which are stored in our emotional memory networks and have yet to be processed in an adaptive way.

Working through life stressors, both current and past, can feel overwhelming. It is not easy and it takes strength to take the first steps towards getting support and reaching out. My approach to therapy is as a team, coming together as equals to find a plan and strategies that fit for you. As a team, we will be taking this road together. I hope to instill the feeling that you are not alone through this journey. It is my goal to help you build the tools you need to reach your therapy goals and navigate stressful experiences when they occur. My main experience is working with clients with trauma, depression, anxiety, OCD, and grief.

I work with adults of all ages, couples, adolescent, and families who are having trouble in their lives with relationships, struggling with daily life, and need someone to help guide them. It is my belief that there is an opportunity for everyone to thrive and to remain connected with others in the process. My approach is to first get to know you in order to build a strong therapeutic relationship. Once that is established, we then work on a common goal to help improve your daily functioning. I will collaborate with you to assure that the treatment you are getting is what you are seeking.

I believe that wisdom comes through mindful self-reflection in a hope-filled space. Children and adults express themselves most authentically when given the freedom to play with ideas and explore their internal world through symbols and stories.