My Counseling Story

Both my BA and MA in Human Development were earned at Pacific Oaks College, Pasadena, CA, where I had the great good fortune of beginning to learn about people/psychology by working with children.  My graduate thesis was titled "It's OK to Talk about It" (referring to forms of family violence and stress), and that remains the theme of my work life.

 

Prior to that, I provided counseling services in various agency settings to children and adults in Washington and Alaska for the past +25 years. In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, I shifted my practice to teletherapy primarily. I see adults and some teens. I offer occasional in-person visits for established clients, preferably outside in nature but also in my office. As we all struggle to navigate these difficult, often exhausting times, I am grateful that the bridge of teletherapy

 

I am certified as an EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth & Learning Association) Mental Health Specialist, trained in Levels I and II of EMDR, trained in mediation with additional training in the attachment-based, Australian model of assisting children (and their parents) in navigating high conflict separation/divorce (Child Informed Family Dispute Resolution).  I comply with continuing education requirements for licensing.

   

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Alaska and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington, where I am qualified as a Child Mental Health Specialist and Ethnic Minority Native American Mental Health Specialist.  In Alaska, I am certified to provide supervision related to licensure for professional counselors. 

 

I use a variety of therapy interventions: Internal Family Systems, cognitive behavioral therapy, reflective listening, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, art, EMDR, guided imagery, a Jungian orientation on the importance of dreams, parenting strategies, play therapy, problem-solving, role modeling, skill-building, and positive support. Most recently, I have been studying the “tools” developed by Phil Stutz. I encourage anyone interested in learning more about therapy to watch the Netflix documentary, by Jonah Hill, for a compelling view into the therapeutic process.