I am a Relationship Therapist with over 35 years of clinical experience working with adults, adolescents, children, and families. I've worked in both in-patient and out-patient treatment facilities over the years and currently maintain a private practice. I lived and worked in Seattle for 28 years and in 2016 moved to southern Utah for the landscapes and the red rocks I love. I have a deep respect for personal struggles. I also have great confidence in the therapeutic process based on the transformations I've seen in the lives of the men, women, and young people with whom I've been privileged to work.
Most of my clients are high-functioning, first responders, hardworking healthcare professionals, or people who have been in therapy before but seek a more natural, integrative approach. Some are therapists themselves. I also like working with people new to therapy who seek to build a more solid foundation for their emotional health. The heart of what I do is create the space to address the issues that are impacting their lives, their relationships, and whatever blocks are keeping them from moving forward in life.
I use evidence-based, trauma informed approaches including IFS/Internal Family Systems, EFT/Emotion-Focused Therapy, Rational-Emotive and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapies. I've taught the MBSR, Jon Kabat-Zinn's 'Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction' course in Seattle. I'll integrate elements of it when a body-oriented approach is needed. It's effective in learning how to regulate emotions, come to terms with past trauma, work with anxiety, as well as targeting the very roots of addictive behaviors. I'll weave psych/education in as I believe this empowers you to create the most effective and lasting changes you’re seeking.
As a therapist I draw not only on my education, but also on my life experiences as a woman, a daughter, a sister, a wife, and a mother. I am by nature curious and interested in the world around me and continue to educate myself both formally and informally. In 1993, I began practicing Vipassana, a Buddhist form of sitting/walking meditation which continues to support me personally and has informed my work over the years.
I advocate living life with compassion. Change is hard. Most of us resist change for fear of what's unknown in the future. I understand it takes courage to reach out for help. If you wish to work with me bring a strong commitment to yourself. I'm here to help.
