I specialize in marriage and family counseling and enjoy working with couples, families, and teens. I support couples and families who are struggling to communicate effectively and are having difficulties resolving conflict and/or are trying to better manage and resolve behavioral issues. I understand that unresolved conflict and poor communication skills, lack of self-confidence and self-awareness, as well as low stress tolerance can lead to arguments, tension, anxiety, depression, and exhaustion.
We all need healthy and loving relationships in our lives to flourish mentally, physically and spiritually. Our fast paced society can make it extremely challenging to pause, reflect, and be mindful about our own needs, feelings, hopes and desires, let alone those around us. My hope is to create a very intentional space for growth, learning, and healing. I aim to help couples and families experience full mutual understanding by learning how to communicate effectively and resolve conflict peacefully. It's when we have the experience of feeling seen, loved, and sought after that we are able to express ourselves fully.
In addition to working with couples, I really enjoy working with teenagers. Teens in today's culture are bombarded with attacks from social media, marketing and propaganda. Thus, making the transition from adolescence to adulthood difficult which often impacts the entire family. They're taught to compete for esteem from the time they enter kindergarten which places a lot of stress on them and the entire family unit. Parents and teens often find the extra support, guidance and coaching helpful for creating healthier relationships with one another and their peers. Ultimately, leading to more balanced and fulfilling lives.
Professional Disclosure Statement
I orient myself with Roger's Client Centered theory as my clinical foundation. I utilize an eclectic mix of modalities in my practice including Narrative therapy, DBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psycho-education, Solution-Focused Therapy, and mindfulness. I am experienced in life transitions, family reunification and reconciliation. the areas of addiction/recovery, anxiety, depression, stress management, trauma and PTSD, grief and loss. strength-based perspective. I have experience in a wide variety of settings such as hospitals, health departments, clinics, and insurance companies. Over the past decade I've developed a familial approach to working with couples and families that has proven to be extremely effective and am excited to share this approach with my clients.
I am an advocate for suicide prevention and previously co-chaired the Suicide Prevention Awareness Network in Idaho. She has advanced training in Infant Mental Health and is Parents-as-Teachers certified. She is passionate about children's mental health and previously served on the Governor's early childhood council as the infant mental health chair. She was awarded the Children's Advocacy award in 2016 from the Idaho Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health for her continued efforts for awareness.
Education
Doctorate in Counseling and is a Clinically Certified Trauma Professional
Bachelor of Arts degrees in Social Science and a minor in Psychology
Master's in Family Therapy with an advanced emphasis on children and trauma
Licensure
Licensed Family and Marriage Therapist
Nationally approved supervisor through the American
Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT)
Approved supervisor in the state of Washington and Idaho
Specialties and Modalities
Marriage Therapy
Couples Counseling and Premarital
Sex Therapy
Family Therapy
Parenting
Adolescent Therapy
Family Conflict
Divorce
Addiction Counseling
Clinically Certified Trauma Professional
Life
Transitions
Stress
Anxiety
Depression
Spirituality
Trauma
PTSD and Complex-PTSD
Suicidal Ideation
Sexual Abuse
Motivational Interviewing
Solution-Focused Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy
DBT
Life Meaning and Purpose
Experiential modalities
Systemic approach
Support and education for family members and loved ones of addicts
Codependency
Behavioral Issues
Coping Skills
Self Esteem
Mood Disorders
Personality Disorders