Education & Work Experience

Before pursuing my career as a Christian counselor, I received my Bachelors of Science and Nursing from the University of Kansas in 1990 and spent several years as a registered nurse, working in critical care, dialysis, and long-term care. Following my call to Christian counseling, I completed my Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology at Argosy University; after graduating, I continued to earn my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, also from Argosy. I completed my pre-doctoral internship through the Everett Clinic at Providence Regional Cancer Partnership, and have been counseling professionally since 2008. I am a certified group leader in the Stanford Model of Living Well with Chronic Conditions, and Living Well with Diabetes, and am completing a Certificate in Primary Care Behavioral Health through the University of Massachusetts.

My Call to Christian Counseling

In my previous work as a nurse, I spent many years helping people as they struggled to make sense of life’s greatest obstacles and disappointments. After these experiences of helping persons in extreme circumstances of life, I realized that God was calling me to use my training and energy in the ministry of Christian counseling. The transition from nursing to counseling has been very natural, and for the past several years I have been privileged to come alongside those who are wounded and broken and to encourage them toward restoration in Jesus.

More About Me

I am a busy mother of two wonderful teenagers. Our family has chosen to keep life simple, and while we enjoy work and school, on weekends we spend our time together through our shared passion for extra-curricular activities, including a competitive robotics league, gardening, hiking, reading, painting and drawing.

Areas of Expertise

• Abandonment and Neglect
• ADHD
• Aging and Geriatric Issues
• Anxiety
• Bipolar Disorder
• Coaching
• Codependency
• Depression
• Grief and Loss
• Individual Counseling
• OCD
• Online Counseling
• Personal Development
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Professional Development
• Relationship Issues
• Spiritual Development
• Trauma
• Weight Loss
• Women’s Issues

Anxiety

Though we often think of anxiety as something we can control, sometimes anxiety becomes unmanageable. Clinical anxiety can be crippling. It not only leaves you feeling chronically stressed, but can also cause feelings of exhaustion, depression, and isolation. If you struggle with issues related to anxiety and stress, you do not have to suffer alone. I work one-on-one with clients to help them discover how to manage their anxiety so they can live a happy and healthy life. My goal is to help you learn to live a life free of guilt and shame as you come to understand the complexities and special nuances God created you with. Using the latest research and evidence-based techniques, we will discern the sources of your anxiety and work on breaking the vicious cycle of anxious thoughts.

Behavioral Issues

Behavioral issues encompass a broad spectrum of behaviors. Some people come to counseling to get a handle on self-destructive behaviors like addiction or anger while others seek help for Attention Deficit Disorder or Obsessive Compulsive Behavior. Regardless of the behavior issue you are dealing with, if it is impairing your quality of life in any way, then it is something for which you should seek help. I use evidence based methods together with spiritual principles to help you identify, address, and overcome behavioral issues. Working together, you and I create a plan of action that allows you to implement small changes and lean into a new way of reaction and coping so you can slowly and permanently develop healthy behavior patterns.

Couples

Relationships are not always easy, especially intimate relationships. They take practice, understanding and effort. And still there may be conflict. But conflict does not have to equal pain. In couples counseling, I work with clients to empower them how to resolve conflicts in healthy ways that strengthen rather than weaken their relationship. Putting the Lord at the center of their relationship will allow couples to have a fortified foundation as they deepen their relationship with each other and God. Together we will identify practical steps couples can take to foster support and empathy within the relationship. We will also explore individual and family purposes and discover ways that those callings can be nurtured to fruition.

Depression

Depression is often misunderstood. Feelings of sadness or hopelessness that persist and affect your ability to function are not normal and can be debilitating. Depression is a clinical illness and my role is to help you understand the root cause of your depression and develop a plan to address the symptoms so that you can move forward to healing. Combining evidence based techniques and faith-based direction, I work with you to identify the source of the negative emotions. Together we will develop steps you can take to identify triggers and to manage the depressive symptoms in a healthy, life affirming way. My goal is to help you see yourself through new eyes of grace and mercy so that you are able to recognize your true value, your worth and your life purpose.

Family Counseling

Today’s families look quite different from the families of decades past. Modern families face challenges unique to today’s multi-faceted families. Whether you are struggling with a blended family, raising special needs children, elder-care, financial stresses or any other family issue, the road can be bumpy. I’m here to help you navigate that road. Understanding your past expectations and future fears helps us identify the present state of your family unit. In Family Therapy, each member of the family is given an opportunity to express their concerns and needs in a safe, empathetic environment free of judgement. By taking direction from God, you can begin to learn the true roles He has set out for you in your individual families. Working with a biblical foundation and therapeutic strategies I will help you redefine your family constellation and help you bring order and purpose back to your family.

Individual Counseling

Individual Counseling is an opportunity for you to focus solely on you and your challenges. Many people seek help for themselves because they cannot manage other people, places and things in their lives. Although you cannot change anything outside of yourself, you can change your reaction to those things by changing yourself from the inside out. In individual counseling I help you learn what is causing your distress and why. Therapy provides you with a safe, unthreatening environment in which to explore your inner most fears, doubts, concerns and questions. In a spirit of trust, you and I will look at each area of struggle through a faith-based lens to understand God’s purpose for the pain and how He wants to use that for good in your life. Together we will dispel false beliefs and develop a path to healing focusing on God’s truth and His will for you.

Personal & Spiritual Development

Understanding who you are as an individual and who you are in God can be difficult pursuits. I work with you to help you identify your true purpose and your place in God’s big plan. You may have doubts and questions related to your value in His plan or may be unable to truly trust everything that has happened to you is part of God’s will for you and your life. I will walk with you on this journey and help you disseminate the information that you uncover, whether it be painful or joyous. Together we will be able to reconcile your ambiguous feelings and clarify your goals so that you can continue on your journey with deeper faith and an intentional purpose in your life.

Trauma

One person’s trauma may be very different from another person’s traumatic experience. Regardless of the event or circumstances that surround the trauma, the effects can be severely damaging and impairing. Trauma can lead to anxiety, depression, stress, and as a result, you may turn to negative behaviors as a way to cope or stuff the effects of the trauma. The only way to heal the pain is to bring it out of the darkness and into God’s love and light. We will work together to gently identify the traumatic events in your life and explore the circumstances that ensued so you can understand the extent of the consequences of your untreated trauma. Then we will look for ways to diminish the negative impact of the trauma, minimize triggers and develop healthy coping strategies. Knowing that God uses all pain for good, we will strive to find that purpose in the pain of your past.

Women’s Issues

Christian Counseling provides women with a safe and compassionate space to process the concerns that weigh on hearts. Over the past several years, I have counseled women seeking direction in all areas of life, from careers to relationships and from parenting to life transitions. I have a heart for helping women live into the fullness of God’s love and for helping them understand His purpose for the season of life in which they find themselves. I partner with women through life transitions such as parenthood, empty nesting, marriage and loss of parents to help them discern God’s voice in their lives and make healthy, informed choices. Keeping Christ at the center of it all, we look inside to find the treasures God has given you and explore how He wants you to use them as you take the next step on the journey God has set out for you.

Availability (by office location):

• Mill Creek– Monday, Saturday

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for Individuals and Couples looking to pursue counseling with me. For new patients without insurance, your initial appointment is a risk free initial session which means that you will not be billed for the session unless you decide to continue. For patients choosing to use insurance, the initial session will be billed to your insurance so please come prepared with your insurance card and any copay you may have.

Insurance: As a licensed clinical psychologist insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services as an Out of Network Provider. For neuropsychological testing I am in network with First Choice, Premera and Regence. Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover individuals and couples.

Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a receipt for services rendered, I will provide either a printed or digital receipt for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A 2.7% swipe fee, or 3.7% + $0.15 key in fee, will be added for credit card payments.