Sometimes we can be unkind to ourselves, feel disconnected in our relationships or overwhelmed by problems in our life. I believe counseling is a learning process. I want to work with you to develop a compassionate understanding of who you are and new insight about the areas in your life where you want support to change. I believe that in each of us there is a center of sanity, intelligence and goodness and work with you in the counseling process to support your ability to access this inner resource. Together we can refocus on solutions that facilitate positive change and adopt a wider view.
I am passionate about working with individuals and families seeking to support mental health, healing from addiction and developing a deeper sense of connection and well being. I believe in a systems approach to counseling; the notion that each person’s sense of self and wellness is informed by a healthy connection to family and community. In the therapy process I incorporate perspectives including relationship attachment, developing insight through mindfulness and understanding the effects of trauma. I have worked in Oregon for the past 12 years as a counselor in youth residential treatment, adult/ adolescent substance abuse treatment programs, and in hospital emergency rooms. Through this broad range of experience I am able to address a variety of needs including substance abuse and mental health counseling with adolescents, at risk youth, LGBTQ youth, adults and families, Veterans, foster parents and children. I have knowledge and expertise providing counseling for individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief and loss, addiction and abuse and a wide range of other mental health conditions. I am also a bilingual/ bicultural therapist and seek to support culturally competent counseling options to Black, Native, Latino and other communities of color too.
My credentials include:
- Masters of Social Work (MSW) from Portland State University.
- Masters of Addiction Counseling (MAC) and Certified Addiction Counselor (CADCIII)
Professional Memberships:
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
- National Association of Addiction Counseling Professionals (NAADAC)
- Addiction Counselor Certification Board of Oregon. (ACCBO)