I received my doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) from the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Missouri in 2003, after completing a pre-doctoral internship at the University of Washington Counseling Center. I have been licensed as a psychologist in the state of Washington since 2004 (License #PY 00003088). I possess a certificate granting me Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Psychology (APIT), which means I can also provide telehealth psychotherapy services to clients residing in PsyPact-participating states. College student mental health has been a prominent interest area of mine, as I was a member of the training staff at the UW Counseling Center from 2003-2021, where I did clinical work and supervised doctoral-level trainees.  I also spent over three years leading Body Image groups at Opal: Food & Body Wisdom, a treatment center in Seattle that approaches eating disorders and body image distress from a non-dieting, Health at Every Size perspective. For the past 8 years, I have maintained a private practice, where I offer outpatient psychotherapy to adult clients. Most of my work has been as a clinical generalist, meaning that I have experience working with a wide range of clinical issues and the day-to-day challenges of life, parenting, relationships, and self-development. I enjoy working with clients who are interested in exploring who they are, what they want, and how to live a life that better aligns with their values. 

One of my guiding values as a therapist is to recognize and honor the various identities my clients may hold, and to create space in the therapy process for acknowledging how our similarities and differences may impact the treatment. I respect the fact that clients bring very sensitive and vulnerable parts of their lives to therapy, and I see it as my responsibility to make therapy a safe and welcoming space for all clients. I am comfortable working with clients from all spiritual traditions and faith backgrounds (including those who identify as atheist or agnostic); I am LGBTQIA- affirming and poly-aware; and I am experienced in working with clients of all genders.   I believe that mental health care services should be guided by the social justice values of inclusion, access, and advocacy. I also believe that being an advocate for those with marginalized identities does not end with offering support in the therapy room, but must extend to my words, actions, and presence in the more public sphere, as well. 

Among the many identities that I hold, I am a writer, a mother, a partner, a seeker. I believe that infusing humor and warmth into the hard places can make them easier to bear.  I believe deeply in the power of human connection to ease the struggles of life, and I am grateful for work that allows me to create such meaningful connections with others.  I usually have a cup of tea in my hand, and I am always eager for a good book recommendation.