Stress Therapists in Stayton, OR

Are you ready to find the keys which will unlock the doors to your better life? Whether you are depressed, anxious or trying to make sense of difficult and traumatic past events, we will work together to find solutions in a safe, welcoming environment.

This is your place to feel seen, heard, and understood. I value giving people a safe space to share and feel seen. Sometimes we put on a mask to look positive, but underneath we're feeling overwhelmed, worn down, hurt, and discouraged. It can be an isolating experience, coupled with anxiety, sadness, and uncertainty. Although it can be intimidating to begin, therapy is a great place to let your guard down and share what's really going on inside. I'll help you find your way forward, and we'll do it together. I don't want you to go through this alone.

I am autistic, and a neurodiversity-affirming professional. This means I do not seek to change others, but focus on strength and adaptation, not assimilation. We can dig into life's fundamental questions: Who am I, what do I want, why am I here, and who should journey with me? I am not a therapist, but instead, I specialize in consulting and coaching those who want to develop healthier relationships with themselves and others. Our work together might focus on recovering from past mistakes, understanding how we came to those mistakes, and learning to make different choices and decisions in the future. It might be learning to say no.

Trauma is a highly complex and personal experience. Everyone's experience and definition of trauma is different. Among both professionals and clients, it is often incredibly misunderstood. It affects us across physical, social, emotional, and spiritual bounds. It compromises our ability to process sensory input and renders us incapable of communicating at times. Traumatic experiences can make us feel "small" and incompetent, incapable of managing basic tasks at times, or we may even develop intermittent or chronic pain.

If you've ever watched a good movie or seen a compelling drama on the stage, you know the story doesn't resolve itself until the second act. Just as "life imitates art," you may experience situations, thoughts, and emotions road blocking your "second act." I’m honored to help you navigate life choices amidst these roadblocks through my combined approach using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based exposure therapy. ACT is an evidenced-based therapy consistent with the sentiment of the "Serenity Prayer" in focusing on change we can control; letting go of things we cannot.

If I were to ask you to describe your life briefly right now, what would come to mind? We might love to say "whole, complete, and living my best life". Yet, when we have a moment to reflect further, it may sound more like "stressed, anxious, or just trying to make it all work out". It is normal to feel avoidant or anxious when going through something hard. Clients find me here when seeking support for security in an uncertain time in order to feel safe and secure inside.

So, your relationship with food has brought you here, but maybe you’re unsure if what you consider some form of overeating warrants seeking professional help. You don't have to suffer from anorexia and/or bulimia to "deserve" treatment and support. People who are enduring binge and emotional eating are often blamed (by themselves and others) for their use of food. If this is you, you may believe you have no "will power" and your relationship with food/body is your "fault". You aren't yet aware there are reasons (always other than will power) that explain your experience with food/body. You are not to blame.

As a psychologist, I evaluate and treat patients through a variety of methods, most typically being psychotherapy or talk therapy. Patients usually visit me because they have been experiencing depression, anxiety, stress or anger for a significant period of time and are seeking help.