Finding Balance

Finding a therapist can be overwhelming and understanding the various backgrounds and approaches complicated. I am excited you are here and looking forward to partnering with you to see if my services are a good fit for your needs.

Background

I have a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) through George Fox University. This is a generalist program, meaning I have a wide range of experiences with all ages, therapy, and assessment needs.

During my training, I developed a particular passion for supporting individuals with complex health needs. I spent a significant amount of my training years at George Fox receiving training in primary care and a variety of medical settings. After finishing my education, I went on to complete specialized training in health psychology at Eastern Virginia Medical School and the Portland VA Medical Center. I am Board Certified in Health Psychology (ABPP).

I am a life-long learner and enjoy investing in training, supervision, and consultation to continue growing my knowledge base in both therapy and assessment. 

In 2020 I completed a post-doctoral Master’s degree in Clinical Psychopharmacology through Fairleigh Dickenson University (MSCP). While I do not prescribe medication, I am comfortable talking about general medication questions as they related to your mental health and regularly collaborate with your medical team.

I am currently licensed as a psychologist in both Oregon and Washington.

Approach

I approach therapy and assessment through a highly relational frame. I believe you are the expert on your experiences and work to create a safe, trauma-informed environment where we can partner to support you and your goals while develop strategies to manage areas of difficulty and need within the therapy and assessment environment.

I work primarily from a strengths-based perspective, utilizing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. While these are my primary approaches to care, I recognize that many people need different types of treatment and support. I work hard to meet your unique needs within the therapy space.

I am a strong believer in the value of teamwork and regularly collaborate with outside professionals (with your permission) to support your wellbeing. This includes partnering, as appropriate, with members of your healthcare/medical team, school environment, or other settings to support whole health and wellbeing.

Areas of emphasis and interest that I am particularly passionate about include trauma and trauma informed care, substance use disorders/addiction, crisis and risk management, physical health and health management, adolescent mental health, neurodevelopmental health, and caring for the needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Personal

I enjoy being active and spending time outdoors. I enjoy running, hiking, camping, and gardening or working on projects around my house. I stay very active with my family and am invested in serving and supporting my local community in a variety of different ways.