IT BEGINS WITH THE CREATIVE PROCESS
I’ve always viewed therapy as a creative, one-of-a-kind, collaborative process between therapist and client(s), and believe all individuals inherently know how to heal themselves, but need guidance and support when they have lost their way. I avoid pathologizing people and their thoughts, feelings, and actions.
OPEN AND AFFIRMING
I also know how oppressive our cis/het-centric culture can be, and am open and affirming to the many ways that people
create and maintain relationships, including: LGBTQI+, BDSM,
kink, non-monogamous or polyamorous relationships, and sex positive attitudes and choices. My goal is always to create a safe space and I’m celebratory in my approach to sexual and gender minorities.
THE DEEP DIVE
I wholeheartedly believe in this process, and love the deep dive of therapy—the engagement with stories, emotions, patterns, and change. It’s a joy when clients really "bring it” to our work together. I also recognize that everyone’s path to healing is unique, which is why I believe in attachment based therapy. This allows clients to verbalize unspoken pieces of their story—things they’ve sometimes never had the courage to admit to themselves. Bearing witness makes this work life-affirming, and can truly change your life.
HOW IT ALL CONNECTS
My therapeutic work is done through a systemic lens, because I believe our struggles and symptoms don’t exist in a vacuum. I like to help people identify how their environment creates, minimizes or exacerbates their struggles, which allows me to confront issues of oppressions like racism, classism, sexism, transphobia and homophobia. I use psychodynamic theories (internal processes that inform how we think, feel and act) as well as systemic theories (the interaction of who we are and within our environments).
THERAPY STYLE
My counseling style can be spontaneous and intuitive to meet the needs of my client(s), and I often use the power of relationship and the present moment. I am anti-racist and have liberation and humanity at the heart of my clinical work. My style incorporates CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), as well as EFT + EFCT (Emotionally Focused Therapy)—and, when appropriate, I utilize the healing power of humor.
THERAPY TOOLS
My personal style in therapy and life is a balance between optimism and realism, and my general therapy approach can often include practical skill building, walking sessions (see Walk The Talk Therapy page), family and personal history exploration, and interrupting patterns that prevent you from creating the life you want to live.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
I received my Psychology B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2002, and earned my dual Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy from Lewis & Clark in 2009. Both my LPC (licensed professional counselor) and LMFT (licensed marriage and family therapist) accreditations were acquired in 2012.
I love what I do, and genuinely look forward to our work together.
I’ve always viewed therapy as a creative, one-of-a-kind, collaborative process between therapist and client(s), and believe all individuals inherently know how to heal themselves, but need guidance and support when they have lost their way. I avoid pathologizing people and their thoughts, feelings, and actions.
OPEN AND AFFIRMING
I also know how oppressive our cis/het-centric culture can be, and am open and affirming to the many ways that people
create and maintain relationships, including: LGBTQI+, BDSM,
kink, non-monogamous or polyamorous relationships, and sex positive attitudes and choices. My goal is always to create a safe space and I’m celebratory in my approach to sexual and gender minorities.
THE DEEP DIVE
I wholeheartedly believe in this process, and love the deep dive of therapy—the engagement with stories, emotions, patterns, and change. It’s a joy when clients really "bring it” to our work together. I also recognize that everyone’s path to healing is unique, which is why I believe in attachment based therapy. This allows clients to verbalize unspoken pieces of their story—things they’ve sometimes never had the courage to admit to themselves. Bearing witness makes this work life-affirming, and can truly change your life.
HOW IT ALL CONNECTS
My therapeutic work is done through a systemic lens, because I believe our struggles and symptoms don’t exist in a vacuum. I like to help people identify how their environment creates, minimizes or exacerbates their struggles, which allows me to confront issues of oppressions like racism, classism, sexism, transphobia and homophobia. I use psychodynamic theories (internal processes that inform how we think, feel and act) as well as systemic theories (the interaction of who we are and within our environments).
THERAPY STYLE
My counseling style can be spontaneous and intuitive to meet the needs of my client(s), and I often use the power of relationship and the present moment. I am anti-racist and have liberation and humanity at the heart of my clinical work. My style incorporates CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), as well as EFT + EFCT (Emotionally Focused Therapy)—and, when appropriate, I utilize the healing power of humor.
THERAPY TOOLS
My personal style in therapy and life is a balance between optimism and realism, and my general therapy approach can often include practical skill building, walking sessions (see Walk The Talk Therapy page), family and personal history exploration, and interrupting patterns that prevent you from creating the life you want to live.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
I received my Psychology B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2002, and earned my dual Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy from Lewis & Clark in 2009. Both my LPC (licensed professional counselor) and LMFT (licensed marriage and family therapist) accreditations were acquired in 2012.
I love what I do, and genuinely look forward to our work together.
(503) 609-0369 | walkthetalktherapy@gmail.com | 4531 SE Belmont St. Suite 114