I believe in growth and the soul’s innate ability to heal and in the temenos [sacred container] of therapy to support and facilitate healing in profound ways. To me, therapy is an opportunity for safely experiencing emotions, creating insight, and intuiting a process toward healing. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I specialize in Jungian-oriented therapy and personal growth work with individuals and couples. I honor cultural diversity and complexity, spiritual and religious exploration, and sexuality and gender identity processes. The approaches I use to support insight and growth incorporate metaphor, art, mythology, poetry, music, writing, and images.
When I’m not working, I enjoy time with family and friends, walking my dog, and exploring in and around Portland.
Education
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who operates from a strengths-based perspective. I believe strongly in the importance of the therapeutic relationship, and seek to foster a comfortable, affirming environment for clients. I specialize in group and individual therapy, and use a variety of modalities, including solution focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing, among others. I have worked extensively with young adults, helping to address relationship issues, substance use concerns, depression, anxiety, trauma, and family and interpersonal conflicts. I utilize a "person-in-environment" framework, understanding that each of us exists in and is affected by the realities of privilege, oppression, current events, and day-to-day experiences. In my free time, I enjoy playing and watching sports, reading, musical theater, and trying out Portland restaurants.
Education
As a Licensed Psychologist, I work with clients at UP and occasionally in international waters. My approach to counseling focuses on understanding how my clients are thinking and feeling about themselves and their lives, including how their identities and situations (campus, family, friend-groups, our pandemic-era world, etc.) impact their mental health. In session, I work with my clients to understand the strengths they have, the resources UP can provide, the challenges they face and then build the skills to face those challenges. The goal is to build mental wellness and also to achieve their goals both individually and as a member of their communities.
In the non-counseling parts of my job I connect with UP students, staff and faculty to promote a culture of healthy relationships, non-violence, and survivor support.
When I’m not working, you’ll find me taking my dog for a walk, singing karaoke, and climbing at the gym or crag. I also write for the Psychology in Popular Culture book series (such as Wonder Woman Psychology, Westworld Psychology). We are a group of psychologists, mental health counselors, psychology professors, and psychology-minded people in media who geek out about comic books, sci-fi and fantasy. We write about how psychology can be used to understand our favorite characters better, and maybe understand ourselves better in the process.
Education
University of Portland
5000 N. Willamette Blvd.,
Portland, Oregon 97203-5798
503.943.8000
