My Passion

I chose to become a clinical social worker because of the values of the profession, the emphasis on deep exploration of the human experience, and the emphasis on the person in their environment. In other words, I see you as an individual who has developed in the context of your family of origin, social, cultural, biological, and environmental factors. Traditional medical model diagnoses are focused on observed behavior of an individual at a particular moment in time, and can devalue your perspective and experience. Therefore, my approach is to empower you to know yourself and support you in tailoring the processes for untangling, reorganizing and living fulfilling lives that bring you peace.  

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate – Independent Clinical in the State of Washington. I graduated with a Master of Social Work from the Smith College School of Social Work in Northampton, MA, and Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from The George Washington University in Washington, DC. 

My Goals

Your goals are my goals. We will collaborate on a treatment plan that meets or exceeds your goals for psychotherapy. I will walk beside you as you explore yourself and determine your path. You will be supported as you try on different experiences to see what fits for you. 

We will tumble through the program together because I am also on the path of constantly refining my understanding of myself and my own path toward peace and congruence. I will do my best to create an environment that honors your courage to tumble too. 

Personal Experiences

I understand what it’s like not to feel safe, seen, understood, or supported.

I understand what it’s like to be different due to adoption, gender identity, sexual identity, and neurodiversity such as ADHD and Asperger’s Syndrome.

I understand what it’s like to be out of touch with yourself and struggle in relationships.

I understand what it’s like to live with chronic pain and life-threatening health issues.

I have been discouraged in my own recovery by the stigma of traditional mental health diagnoses. 

I believe that the universe is always moving in the direction of balance, and every choice we make in life shifts the balance in some way large or small, toward pain or away from pain. We have the opportunity to shift the fulcrum of the balance away from the old patterns, thoughts beliefs and relationship patterns, toward our goals and values, thus reducing pain by increasing congruence between self and experience.