I hold a strong passion for the human experience. I feel honored any time someone shares with me their life struggles and trusts me to assist them on their path towards healing their emotional wounds. I believe each and every one of us has a story. The ability to be vulnerable and share that story is a beautiful thing and it is a privilege to be witness to the sincerity expressed in each individual story. I do not take my work lightly and I hold space for the vulnerability of each of my clients.
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Humanistic Gerontology with core concentrations in Aging and the Family and Geriatric Care Management. I am also a certified ARCH Healer.
I have specialties in working with people struggling during the pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum transition as well as those working with issues surrounding aging, death and grief. Within that aging spectrum, I have a strong passion in working with women traversing through the peri and post menopause transitions. We’re still not talking about it enough, but at least we are talking about this transition more and my goal is that my office is a safe place for women to explore and share feelings about the multitude of changes and struggles that can come during this time of life.
I also have a strong background in trauma. I specialize in birth trauma and have worked with parents, nurses, midwives, doctors, birth assistants and doulas. I also work with birth professionals who are in need of regular debriefing sessions after various birth experiences.
Additionally, I have a specialty in performance coaching and have worked with various athletes over my career, but I have a clear passion for video gamers as I have children (all adults now) who are competitive gamers, one who is a professional and sponsored. Competing in any sport at a high level takes special personality traits but also a unique set of mental health skills and tools.
Although I have the above listed specialties, I work with people who are finding their way through many different issues including (but not limited to):
general depression and/or anxiety
anger
past and/or current narcissistic abuse
family and marriage difficulties.
I do not believe that any of us needs “fixing”.
I honestly am not even a fan of the word counseling. I prefer my self-made title of Life Transition Mentor, which I think we can all use at various times in life. I believe the most effective mental health care is where each person feels safe to speak their mind and share stories, even those they may never have shared before. I like my clients to be able to feel all that needs to be felt and to have a trusted individual validate those thoughts and feelings and perhaps shine a light or two on a path, or paths, that may not have previously been visible.
Because I believe in the mind/body connection and holistic healing, I also believe in many non-traditional or what might be deemed “alternative” modalities such an energy healing, gemstones, crystals, herbs and aromatherapy. Additionally, I have a strong belief system in how dietary changes and supplements can enhance mental health. I encourage clients to work with their medical care providers to assist them with supplementation and dietary changes.
Ultimately, my goal is to work with each client as a team to achieve the healing they are seeking.
My downtown Tacoma office is casual, warm and inviting. Coffee, tea and water are always available and there are an abundance of throw pillows which can be held, punched or thrown as the mood strikes. Kick off your shoes and get comfortable; you get to decide exactly where, and how, you feel most comfortable as this journey is about YOU!