206-207-6043
About
I'm passionate about helping people learn to trust their thoughts, feelings, and voice. With over 20 years of experience in the fields of teaching and craniosacral therapy, I've come to know that everyone has the potential to access their wisdom, vitality and goodness.
As a counselor, I will facilitate creating a therapeutic environment where building on your unique strengths forms the foundation upon which we will explore what is possible. My knowledge about how the brain and nervous system functions forms a secure base which informs my interventions and suggested techniques.
In sessions, I will use a trauma-informed approach that draws on concepts from somatic experiencing, internal family systems, and acceptance and commitment therapy. We will utilize mindfulness concepts and emotional regulation techniques to provide you with the structures that facilitate change safely.
I am a good fit for adults and couples who wish to find freedom from trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions. To varying degrees, people experience the grief that arises from navigating attachment concerns that originate within the family of origin, or on a systemic level when people are the recipients of marginalization and oppression. Together we will explore specific and actionable steps that will allow you to find hope, and strengthen your relationships.
Background
From as far back as I can remember, two questions seemed to circulate constantly inside my head: "What do people do with their pain?" and "What do I do with what I see?" The link between the body and mind began with ballet training that I practiced for ten years starting around eight years old. With this training, I began noticing how people's movements reflected their personalities.
It is my joy and my honor to be of help to you on your healing journey. My ability to illuminate what is needed for you to heal is a culmination of experiences. The drive to be of help lead me to pursue a Masters in Teaching and additional training through the National Institute for Learning Development. I used these trainings to teach both in the classroom as well as provide educational therapy for high school students on an individual basis. In the educational therapy program, I guided students towards developing the confidence to apply their growing knowledge of how their brain works to build their academic skills. I administered and analyzed a series of academic assessments to determine placement in the program and identify areas of focus based on auditory, verbal and perceptual skill levels. Through teaching, I learned how to help people feel secure as they explored their individual strengths, challenges, and how they process information.
After teaching for a number of years, I knew I needed to explore healing at a deeper level, and obtained a license in massage therapy, and a certification from the Upledger Institute for Craniosacral Therapy (CST). CST trainings focused on brain and nervous system anatomy, physiology and how to treat trauma that is stored in the body. I created an 18-month CST training program where I taught techniques to release physical tension held within bone and fascia as well as how to incorporate therapeutic dialogue. I guided students to understand the importance of self-care, awareness of their biases, and how to develop their therapeutic presence.
CST forms the basis for the somatic processing I utilize during counseling sessions. In addition to graduating from Bastyr's Master of Arts Counseling Psychology program, I have completed the ACT Bootcamp training and Level 1 of the Gottman Couples Therapy courses. My 9-month practicum experience at Seattle Roots focused on helping people within the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities honor the intersectionality of their identities and find healing from the anxiety, grief and depression they were experiencing. I also had the honor of providing gender care letters of support, and will continue to offer this service.
Working with people for over 20 years has shown me that with the right support, everyone is able to find freedom from grief and limiting beliefs. I love helping people explore what is possible as they integrate the wisdom gained from their life experiences. When people are seen with deep compassion and understanding for what has shaped them, the isolation of pain diminishes and people are able to connect with the wholeness that has always been present.