I welcome your rough edges, tender places, inner wisdom, and the search for more fulfillment. Together, we will invite self-compassion and acceptance around what is already happening, while also creating ways to experience more satisfying ways of treating yourself, being with others, and inhabiting your life. My clients include people who experience depression, anxiety, grief, anger, and shame, creative folks who are stalled at manifesting their potential, gentle souls who find it hard to navigate in a frenetic world, people who want to establish fresh relationship patterns, and those who are recovering their balance amidst life transitions.

(Caseload Full - Accepting new clients Spring 2021!) — I work with ALL people (size, gender, sex, race, ability) who are struggling with food, weight, and body and are ready to do the deeper work of healing —this includes eating disorders, but also those who feel like a stranger within their own body, mind, and spirit. This may be due to chronic dieting and disordered eating, identity work, relational issues, trauma, spiritual abuse or loss of faith. Those who are hungering to be more attuned to their emotions, values, sense of worthiness and are ready to engage the harder questions.

Finding joy and fulfillment in the midst of life's wear-and-tear, pain, traumas, and setbacks is difficult. And despite your best efforts, sometimes challenges and difficulties don't resolve on their own. This can be painful, frustrating, and even terrifying at times. When you have the right person to work with who can help guide you, your situation will feel more hopeful, manageable, and even exciting. You can be understood, understand yourself, and experience the changes you seek.

It goes without saying the year 2020 was an uphill battle. With the stress of a pandemic, the economic hardships facing many, political divides deepening, and being cooped up at home: it's no wonder anxiety is high. Or depression feels magnified. Or you find yourself falling back into bad habits.  But you don't have to struggle through this time alone. Empathic Counseling can help you cope during this difficult time and empower you to thrive. I work closely with clients across Oregon to help them find freedom from Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, Trauma, or that harsh voice inside you that tells you you're not enough.

Welcome! I enjoy working with individuals and couples, and walking alongside them in their healing. I believe therapy is a collaborative experience between the family and therapist, that each client has the resiliency and resources they need already within, and that it is our job to uncover them. My work with clients considers biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors. I specialize in working with clients who are experiencing relational distress, sex concerns, infertility/pregnancy issues, transracial/transnational family dynamics, processing trauma, religion and spirituality, body-image concerns, or low self esteem.

You may appear "fine" to those around you, but inside your emotions are intense and seem out of your control. You feel disconnected from your friends, your family and your life. It's overwhelming and you wonder how you got to this place. You desperately want to just, "let it go," but you don't know how. Right now, you're barely able to keep your head above water and if you don't get help soon, it feels like you might go under.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 18 years of experience. I work with individuals of all ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientations, ranging in age from 18 through 65+. My philosophy stems from a belief that life is an ever-changing process that provides the opportunities for individuals to develop into their own person; however, due to trauma or other painful or problematic issues, we may become stuck. My approach is warm, interactive, collaborative, and individualized drawing on different therapeutic models which may include mindfulness, psychodynamic, CBT, DBT, and EMDR approaches.

Starting therapy can be daunting, so I encourage you to reach out, even if you're uncertain where to start. I've witnessed profound impacts in my work with people, where shame becomes self acceptance and overwhelm becomes relief and ease. I welcome everyone who wants to work with me, and especially welcome those who may not have felt comfortable in therapy before, possibly due to experiencing marginality, societal oppression, or being shy. I also tend to work well with over achievers, sensitive introverts, and perfectionists struggling to find a stable sense of self worth. My practice is anti oppression and trauma informed.

There are times in life when you find yourself in a dark place. The path you were following has disappeared and it feels like you're tangled up in thorns. At times like these, having a kind companion can make a big difference: someone who can shine a light on your situation, help you unsnarl yourself and find your way forward. If you're going through a difficult transition, struggling with anxiety, depression, anger or unresolved trauma, I'm can help.

Starting therapy can feel daunting, so take a moment to acknowledge that you have come this far in recognizing psychotherapy may be a helpful approach for you. Therapy requires self-reflection, an open heart, and a curious mind into learning about ourselves and the way in which we interact with the world and those around us. Although it may be daunting, it is incredibly rewarding to unpack and understand what is getting in the way of happiness, growth, intimacy, and self-compassion.

**My practice is currently full and I cannot offer a waiting list at this time. I anticipate openings in late summer/fall 2021.** During a therapy session, I am an active participant in the process, bringing genuine presence, empathy, and validation. As my client, I view you as the expert of your own experience. My role is collaborator in the therapy process, listening for themes and patterns, asking questions to encourage self-exploration, and (with curiosity, respect, and perhaps some humor) challenging unhelpful or "stuck" patterns.

My work with patients focuses on increasing awareness of patterns in relating to self and others. Within the context of the therapeutic relationship, we work together to explore the combination past and present factors interact to shape and sometimes limit perspective. This increased self-awareness enables patient's to respond in new ways to emotional and relational patterns. As a psychologist, I work to empower my clients by helping them to build upon their strengths and to develop an accurate sense of self, and better communicate interpersonal needs and resolve obstacles to change.

Fast heartbeat, stomach in knots--worry has become your constant companion. Right now, everything feels as if it's covered in a veil of "what-ifs". The hopelessness and depression are growing. In the midst of it all, it can seem as if there's no way out--that these emotions will last forever. You're so tired of life feeling dreary, tiresome, and hopeless. The anxiety and sadness have gone on far too long, and it's a lonely, isolating place to be. You can't help but wonder "How long can I go on this way?!" There is hope. Therapy can help anyone--including you! Armed with the right tools, you can overcome the fear and sadness.

Are you struggling with issues related to trauma, grief, addiction, anxiety, or major life changes? There comes a time when we need some help from a professional to help cope with many of life’s challenges. I’m a Psychotherapist in the greater Portland metro area, and I’d love to help you on your journey toward healing and self-discovery. Life can be overwhelming and sometimes even exhausting, but I’m here to guide you through any obstacles you may face. My goal is to help you understand yourself more deeply and better cope with change.

*PRACTICE CURRENTLY FULL* When you are overwhelmed with life experiences moving forward can be a huge challenge. If you are experiencing the effects of stress, trauma, abuse, shame, or grief it can feel as if things will never change. My goal is to develop a connection with you through which you can learn to develop trust, insight and a deeper understanding of yourself. This means we work as a creative team; at times I will support your innate intelligence to identify and create solutions and at other times I may use what you have shared with me and my own intuition to offer advice, share observations and make suggestions.

I am not currently accepting new patients, however if your need is not imminent I would be happy to add you to my waitlist. We all face challenges throughout our lives that can leave us feeling stuck, distressed, isolated or confused. During these times, therapy can help us to move towards the relief, change, and fulfillment we may be longing for. As a therapist, I strive to meet you wherever you are when we begin our work together. I see the therapeutic relationship as a collaborative one, offering safety, confidentiality, and support. Together we share an investment in your growth, healing and more lasting change.

I believe that human nature in its many forms is always evolving and if we are able to harness and lean into this change and learn to grow in healthy ways we can become our best selves. I seek to build a positive therapeutic relationship with all my clients to better comprehend the problems that they may be dealing with in their lives and attempt to assist them in finding healthy resolutions.

I believe counseling is a collaborative process, and starts in the first session as we work together to understand your concerns. I am committed to providing a non-judgmental, supportive, and safe space to help you uncover the things that are getting in the way of your happiness and well-being. My style is a balance of warm, empathic listening and respectful challenging to promote your insight and personal growth. While I will help you understand the nature and origins of your concerns, I will also help you see and use your strengths and talents toward creating the life you want.

I identify as a queer woman and specialize with LGBT folks and college/graduate students. Poly and kink friendly! I may be a good fit for you if you want a therapist who is genuine, transparent, warm, and friendly, who sees you as a unique individual and tailors our work to identify and meet your needs. I bring a social justice lens and understanding of systems of oppression into therapeutic work. I will tell you what I am thinking, will challenge you intellectually, and actively engage with you. I will be open and honest in answering your questions, work collaboratively with you, describe our options, and check in often.

People typically come to see me because they are experiencing psychological distress and/or interpersonal difficulties. The in-depth look at these issues not only leads to symptom relief but to longterm change of dysfunctional and painful( sometimes unconscious) ways we may perceive and judge ourselves. I enjoy being a psychotherapist in part because it is satisfying and exciting to see people become more insightful, effective and confident in each of the important areas of their lives. I have been doing this work for 35+ years and plan to continue for many years.