About Me

My relationships and the bonds I have formed with others has become an enduring source of strength throughout my adult life. As I continue to build new relationships, navigate conflict and strengthen existing relationships, I am motivated and feel great privilege helping and supporting others in their relationship to self and others. I have a strong inclination to social justice and I feel being witness to other's lives and their resiliency is awe inspiring. 

Education and Background

• B.A. in Peace and Conflict

• Directorship of a Community Legal Information Center

• Directorship of a non-profit providing health and social services for families affected by childhood cancer and persons living with HIV

• Volunteer Mediator with San Luis Obispo Superior Court

• Rape Victim Advocate with Multnomah County District Attorney's Office

• HIV Test Counselor for Stonewall Alliance, Cascade AIDS Project and Pivot

• Mediator with Multnomah Family Court

• M.A. in Marriage, Couple and Family Therapy from Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling with an emphasis on social justice and specialization in Sex Therapy.

My Style and Approach

As a marriage, couple and family therapist I work from a systemic and non-patholgizing lens, I do not view the individual as the problem but look broadly at  interactional patterns and dynamics along with considering all systems (intimate relationships, school, community organizations, spiritual organizations, family etc.).

 I lead with empathy, compassion, openness, humility and inclusivity. I believe that trust in the therapeutic relationship is invaluable and at the core of the therapy process. I utilize creativity, humor and spontanuity to create a warm and comfortable environment.  My approach is integrative, collaborative, humanistic and eclectic as I draw from a variety of evidenced-based therapeutic models. You will find my style is flexible and I tailor sessions and my approach to meet the needs of the people I serve. 

I have experience in the following areas of concern and frameworks: 

• Anxiety/Stress Management

• Self-Esteem, Identity and life path challenges

• Work and Career Concerns

• Blended Family Concerns

• Infertility

• Infidelity

• Working with disabilities and disability management

• Intimacy Issues

• Divorce/Conscious Separation

• Issues of Power and Control

• Mediation

• Alternative Relationships (Polyamory, Open, Swinging)

• Gender Dysphoria

• LGBTQ Issues

• Sexual Pain (Dyspareunia, Vaginismus)

• Sexual Issues related to trauma, illness, disability

• BDSM

• Aging Concerns

• Depression

• Sexual Trauma

• Boundary Development and Differentiation

• Sexual Dysfunction (Anorgasmia, inhibited arousal, early or delayed ejaculation, erectile dysfunction)

• Grief

• Life Transitions

• Mindfulness

• Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD)