Chronic Illness Therapists in Gig Harbor, WA

All people experience problems and at times we all need someone that we can trust to assist us with those challenges. As a therapist, my approach is accepting, empathetic, and flexible, and I strive to form a relationship with my clients that is built on trust and respect. I believe in working collaboratively with my clients, together identifying the growth and change that they desire for their lives. I work to help my clients uncover their internal resources and strengths and expand their understanding of their experiences in order to empower them to make the changes that they desire.

Our lives are often impacted by forces beyond our control. We wonder if life will ever return to "normal." I work with young and old who encounter challenges common to modern living: Retirement, work stress, family dynamics, personal tragedy, financial troubles, loss of community, and loss of direction. I also address unique challenges associated with aging: Chronic and acute illness, life partner debilitation, and hardships unforeseen. Refocus and reclaim your strengths and life as we work together on insights, new strategies and skills that enable you to overcome obstacles, re-connect with life and your passions.

Accepting NEW Clients - - - Are you living your best life? Are you feeling stuck? I provide evidence based treatments to help you experience a life with meaning and purpose and to feel better quickly. During our sessions, my goal is for you to feel unconditional acceptance and compassion in our relationship. My style is friendly, light-hearted and I use humor quite a bit. I will work with your strengths and unique needs to cultivate an environment where you can learn the skills to boost the quality of your life.

Having difficulty with relationships? Feeling lonely or isolated? We all need support in our lives, especially during these difficult times. Life can be overwhelming, chaotic, stressful, and unpredictable. You are brave. You are ready take the first step in acknowledging that something isn’t quite right. Therapy can be a healing, wonderful, and freeing way to connect back to your inner self and with those you love. There is hope and there are ways to help and re-build and re-gain confidence, self-esteem, and manage emotions that we often want to ignore. There is HOPE!

Have you recently experienced the death of a loved one, the end of a marriage or relationship, or a significant life transition that has you wondering how life will ever feel normal again? Grief shows up in many ways in life, and it looks different for everyone. But one thing is always true: grief changes us. Maybe you’re in survival mode: fighting just to stay above water in the day to day. Or perhaps you feel like you don’t recognize yourself: more angry, less motivated, or experiencing emotions that feel completely foreign. Your grief may be so overwhelming that you don’t even know what you feel.

I'm taking new clients. I see adolescents (11+), adults, couples and families. I have in person appointments Monday, Thursday and Friday. I can also meet on Tuesdays for Telehealth. In our sessions, expect to grow, thrive in relationships and learn to healthily navigate life circumstances. Working together, we’ll discover that our lived experiences have shaped how we think about the world. Using a trauma and attachment focused lens we use those experiences to encourage healing and growth.

Life can be challenging and stressful. Therapy is a place where you safely address and process through your internal responses to life’s obstacles. If you feel out of touch with your authentic self, problems can seem insurmountable. I work with individuals to explore and develop insight around your own thought patterns and responses to life events. We work together to overcome those things that are stopping you from having a full life and bring you into alignment with your authentic self.

If you are struggling with your mental health, I want you to know you are not alone and it can get better. Reaching out for help isn't always easy, but it will be worth it. Video therapy sessions with me are a safe, supportive and non-judgmental experience. My goal is to help you understand yourself and your situation and to provide you with practical tools to help you manage life in a healthier way.

I believe the purpose of therapy is to support people in gaining personal insight, understanding of others perspectives, and integrating this information while planning new and improved responses and courses of action. As we are able to discover and express our hidden emotions and create new relational responses we then have the potential to change a distressed and rigid relationship into a more secure, safe and satisfying one. My commitment is to devote my full attention to you during our time together and to work with you as supportively, competently, responsibly, and professionally as I am able.

If you’re frequently anxious or overwhelmed, if there are difficult events from your life continuing to invade your life in memories or nightmares, if you’re experiencing chronic pain, if you’re feeling depressed, irritable, stuck, or alone, I can help. You may have tried everything you can think of to start feeling better and nothing seems to fully address your struggles. I’m so glad you’re here. There is hope. If you don’t believe that yet, that’s ok, I am holding it for you until you can.

I am a partner in Summit Health Management, a group founded by an eclectic partnership of four established, experienced providers with the vision of offering a variety of therapeutic services to meet the needs of children, adolescents, adults, elders, couples, and families in our community. Our group’s mission is to provide the region with experienced, compassionate, professional, and proficient mental and behavioral health care. We offer a therapy and psychiatric care for all ages, presentations, relationships and disorders, including individual, couples, family and group therapy, as well as substance abuse recovery for all ages.

I work with each person through a holistic and integrative lense. Whether I am completing an evaluation or providing therapy, it is not one size fits all. I take a lot of pride when a client tells me, “you’re not like my other therapist.” I’ve heard all sorts of reasons I’m not like others. Most often, I hear appreciation about my ability to validate and push for change at the same time. I provide individual and group therapy; working with older teenage and adult men and women. I also provide evaluation services in various areas, such as behavioral, emotional, personality, cognitive, sexual, and memory domains.

Are you struggling with relentless stress, anxiety, and/or depression? Maybe you find yourself isolating from others, feeling constantly triggered, or worried your life feels out of control. It could be COVID-related stress, old or recent trauma, hurtful wounds of the past, loss of a loved one or pet, relationship betrayal or career stress, or maybe you simply feel stuck and yearn to become your best self. My hope is to create a place where you can come completely and authentically as you are, where the unspeakable can be spoken, and for you to be met with compassion and non-judgement.

I have no ideal client. The best part of this job is getting to know such a wide range of people with so many types of issues. I have 30 years experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families in community as well as out-patient and in-patient settings . Geographically, I've worked with families and trained workers in Seattle, New York, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. I've done in-home work in the Bronx, and helped develop policy all over the country. I am now in private practice and address issues that can affect us all, such as, anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD and most mental health issues.

Accepting NEW Clients: I specialize in working with teens, those who self-harm, parents of teens with concerning moods and behaviors, and military families. My methods create substantial change in a short period of time. If you are struggling with high intense crisis emotions, or harmful behaviors, we would be a good fit. I specialize in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). -Telehealth Sessions Only. I am a Military Veteran & Military Spouse.

Are you ready to work on becoming the best version of yourself? Are you experiencing feelings of anxiety, fear, depression, shame, guilt and worthlessness? Have you experienced trauma and continue to be triggered? Want a change? Embrace the grace, power and strength that enabled you to survive challenging circumstances in the past! If you are ready for some transformative work, then I am happy and excited to help guide you on your inner journey of exploration and transformation! I will support you and provide a safe place for this journey to unfold.