about me.

I’m not your typical therapist. I’m real. I’m sarcastic. I love to find ways to laugh about our problems and I tend to roll my eyes a LOT. The thought of a stale, clinical therapy experience makes me feel ill. It doesn’t all have to be so serious!!! If you’re looking for something outside the box and a therapist who can dive into problems but keep the humor in the room, I might be your person.

I have a nerd-level fascination with the brain science behind why we do what we do and why we feel what we feel.  I enjoy working with clients who like to dig into problems (and by that I kinda mean “obsess”) and I really love working with people who consider themselves, or their problems, to be different than other people. (anxious-ADHD-autistic-neurotic-perfectionist types….yes, yes, yes!)

My husband and I managed to space our children out in such a way that we have 18 straight years of parenting teenagers.   (I don’t recommend this, by the way.)  By the time I was 40, I decided to go back to school, first to study chemical dependency counseling followed by an undergrad degree in psychology.  I went to graduate school where I earned a masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy - with a specialization in Child and Adolescent Family Therapy.

The endless years of parenting teens is DIRECTLY connected to me going back to school. If you have a teen you know exactly what happened here: we were defeated, I knew it, and I was INTENT to WIN the battle. (I don’t recommend trying to win!)

I completed a rigorous grad school internship at Attachment and Trauma Specialists, specializing in treating kids with attachment disorders and other behavior issues. I have been working in social service since 2003, working in drug treatment programs, youth shelters and housing service programs as well as an adolescent residential mental health program (it was in an adolescent girls residential program that I was told repeatedly that there was no way I could be a therapist because I can’t hide what I’m thinking- it shows on my face. I’m still not quite sure how to feel about that. Gotta love teenage girls!).  

I am currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Clinical Sexology. I am dedicated to assisting individuals in healing from sexual trauma and reclaiming their sexuality and sex life—an area often overlooked in traditional therapy that typically concentrates solely on treating the trauma itself. I have a particular interest in the intersection of neurodivergence with sexuality (Did you know that we can pilfer a few tricks from the BDSM playbook to foster safety, predictability, and comfort? The principles of BDSM—rigorous consent, crystal-clear communication, discussed do’s and don’ts, and well-scripted scenes—can offer surprising benefits for neurodivergent people and people with past trauma! Curious about this unconventional approach? Let’s talk!!)

If you’re looking for a therapist who was or is a perfect person….well, that’s not me. If you’re looking for someone a little different…..schedule an appointment, let’s see if we click!

In my individual and family work, I use the following:

  • Narrative Therapy

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy

  • EMDR

  • Structural Family Therapy

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions)

I have specialized training and experience in: neurodivergence, attachment disorders, addiction, trauma, anxiety and oppositional defiant disorder.

Licenses and Certifications:

Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Washington State #LH61287862

Certified EMDR Therapist, EMDRIA

EMDR Consultant in Training, EMDRIA

Certified Sexologist, American Board of Sexology

Certified Anger Management Specialist, National Anger Management Association (please note: I do not do Anger Management Assessments for court-involved situations)

Certified Crisis Intervention Specialist III, National Anger Management Association

Certified Life Coach, World Coach Institute

Certified Addiction Coach, World Coach Institute

Insurance information:

At this time I can accept:

  • Premera

  • Anthem

  • Lifewise

  • Regence

  • Aetna

  • Cigna

  • United (commercial plans)

  • Kaiser

  • First Choice

I do not bill other insurances; however, I can provide you with a superbill (detailed receipt) that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. I encourage you to contact your insurance provider and ask the following specific questions:

  1. What are my Out-of-Network Mental Health Benefits when seeing a Licensed Mental Health Counselor

  2. Do I have a deductible, coinsurance, or copayment?

  3. Have I met my deductible this year?

Please note: Unless I am billing one of the insurance companies listed above, you are responsible for paying the full session fee at the time of your appointment. Cash, check and credit card are accepted.