Qualifications and Experience

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, specializing in Christian counseling for couples, families, and individuals who struggle with problems related to conflict, grief and loss, anxiety, trauma, issues of aging, and more. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration and a Master of Science in Human Environmental Science with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy. I’m also trained in EMDR, a trauma-focused therapy. With over 11 years working in the field of counseling, I have had the opportunity to work with people from a wide-variety of backgrounds and settings. My experience includes working in a free mental health clinic in a rural high-poverty area, a day program serving low-income adult clients with severe mental illness, and in private practice setting where I worked with children and teens in the context of their families, individuals, couples, and families.

My Call to Christian Counseling

Before I became a Christian counselor, my life was devoted to twenty years of child rearing while working in finance. During this time, my family experienced difficulty, and we sought family counseling to help us work through these issues together. This experience was so rewarding that it awakened a desire within myself that soon fueled a life-changing decision: I decided to become a Marriage and Family Therapist — and this was the best decision of my life! Looking back over my life, I became even more sure that this was the path God had chosen for me. As a child, I saw members of my family labeled with mental illness without considering how the interactions within the family unit impacted this person. When exposed to the idea of counseling based on a family-systems approach, I was sold on the idea, and I continue to use that insight today. Combined with a life rich in experience, both in the trials of this world and in the wonderful healing grace of Jesus Christ, I see Christian counseling as my true calling — one that continues to enrich my life and my own personal walk with the Lord.

More About Me

The Lord has been very gracious to me and my family. I have been blessed with 32 years of marriage, four children and five grandchildren. When I’m not working, I love to spend time outdoors hiking, biking, and exploring God’s beautiful creation. I also love to cook, read, and go on traveling adventures with my husband.

• Aging and Geriatric Issues
• Anxiety
• Codependency
• Grief Counseling
• Individual Counseling
• Infidelity and Affairs
• Premarital Counseling
• Personal Development
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Relationship Issues
• Spiritual Development
• Sexual Abuse
• Trauma
• Women’s issues
• Geriatric Counseling

Trauma

If you lived through a traumatic experience such as a natural disaster, sexual assault, abuse, military combat, or infidelity, I can help you find real healing and peace through experienced counseling psychology and faith in Christ. Through faith, prayer, bible study, and trauma-focused therapy, you can move past fear, depression, and isolation towards a life that is full of meaningful relationships, happiness, and growth. Though trauma counseling is a process, I offer tools that provide a measure of relief in the early stages of therapy, so you can begin to find the peace you need.

Loss and Bereavement

If you suffered a loss and find yourself stuck in grief, or if you just need a little extra support for dealing with the many emotions and questions you carry, I am here to help. Loss comes in many forms, ranging from lost loved ones, to lost relationships, decreased health and physical ability, and lost dreams. No matter what you experience, I will help you work through grief at your own pace and in your own way, while offering tools for dealing with strong and painful emotions in ways that are healthy while helping you connect with new meaning and joy in your life.

Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common issues people face, and it can be very disruptive to many areas of a person’s life. If you struggle with general feelings of stress, panic attacks, social anxiety, obsessive or racing thoughts, or any other issue that leaves you feeling overwhelmed, detached from others, and unable to live fully, I can help you find lasting solutions. I have successfully treated clients using proven counseling methods for overcoming undesired or unhealthy thoughts, urges, and memories. Together we will work towards creating a life of peace, strength, and wholeness in Christ.

Geriatric Counseling

There are many times of transition in our lives, and sometimes it helps to have someone who will compassionately help us move through these times with peace, acceptance, and hope. I especially love working with people who struggle with issues of aging including transitioning through retirement, dealing with changes in our personal and spiritual relationships, working through loss and bereavement, and much more. I find this area of counseling very rewarding, and often learn and grow as much as my clients during our time together.

Availability (by office location):

• Online (WA residence only)

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for Individuals, Marriage & Couples, and Families looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment the full fee per session is required at the time of service.

Insurance: As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist a majority of insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services as an Out of Network Provider. Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover individuals, marriage & couples, adults and adolescents.

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.