As a Christian counselor, I believe true and lasting internal transformation comes from challenging our negative, unhealthy core beliefs and replacing them with healthy, truthful core beliefs from the Lord. If you are ready to experience lasting positive change, I am devoted to cultivating resilience for individuals (including children and teens), couples, and families seeking support and direction. I offer clinical insight from a faith-based perspective regarding crisis management, distress tolerance, stress management, emotional regulation, communication skills, goal-setting, and more.
My Goal as a Christian Counselor
One of my primary goals as your counselor is for you to gain the tools to rid your mind of any unhelpful, unhealthy thoughts or “weeds” and grow in the ability to plant seeds of hopeful, God-honoring thoughts that lead you to flourish in every area of life. My aim is to help you train your brain with therapeutic methods and Scriptural principles that will cause you to overcome unwanted symptoms and bloom with the beauty of Christ.
What I Offer in Christian Counseling
I specialize in authentic and lasting transformation by focusing on “rewiring the brain,” which is formally known as neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the remarkable ability of the nervous system to change, adapt, and reorganize its physical structure and functional connections throughout your life. It is the biological mechanism that allows the brain to learn new skills, recover from injuries, and adapt to changing environments. From a Christian counseling perspective, rewiring the brain involves cognitive restructuring (Romans 12:2) and taking every thought captive and making it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
My Approach to Christian Counseling
My approach to Christian counseling is to explore the root of our inner selves by focusing on heart motives, self-examination, and the source of our actions. I will guide you to look past surface-level behaviors and confront your inner thoughts, desires, and spiritual foundations. With God’s guidance, I will help you pull out the roots of the “weeds” in the field of your mind and replace them with healthy core beliefs. Rewiring the brain with that healthy belief is when we plant a good seed in our mind that takes root and flourishes into all that Christ called us to be. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Qualifications & Experience
With over ten years of experience in the field of mental health, I hold a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University in California. I also have training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Evidence-Based Approaches for Assessing and Treating Substance Use Disorders, Motivational Interviewing, Gottman Method Couples Therapy: Level 1, and Faith and Spirituality Integrated SBIRT.
My Call to Christian Counseling
I find it the greatest honor in life to walk alongside another soul and assist them in becoming all that God called them to be.
More About Me/On a Personal Note
I absolutely love physical fitness. I am a dedicated “CrossFit-er” and I am a certified CrossFit coach. I have been coaching at a local gym since 2022. Other hobbies include hiking, mountaineering, learning about the art of filmmaking, and going on adventures with my children to the National Parks. Some of my interests include anything involving the 80s (music, movies, and fashion), Corgis (I have my own Corgi named Frodo), The Lord of the Rings, and the TV show Friends.
Areas of Expertise/Specialties
- Abuse and Domestic Violence
- Anger Management
- Anxiety
- Autism
- Bipolar Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Chemical Dependency
- Counseling for Children
- Counseling for Teens
- Couples Counseling
- Crisis Response
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Family Counseling
- Grief and Loss
- Marriage Counseling
- Online Counseling
- Parenting
- Personal Development
- Professional Development
- Relationship Issues
- Self-harm
- Spiritual Development
- Stress Management
- Trauma
Counseling for Teens
I have a very special place in my heart for teens. With an understanding of the severity of the unique stressors that teenagers are currently facing today, I specialize in helping teens facing suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, self-injurious behaviors, friendship drama, break-ups, parents divorcing, social media usage and abuse, and more. If you have a teenager who has gotten off track and you don’t know where to begin, I would be honored to help.
Anxiety
In our sessions I will assess for any unhelpful coping mechanisms (avoidance, abusing substances, etc) which could be fueling anxiety even further and then help you learn more helpful, beneficial coping skills to utilize in daily life. It is essential to incorporate Biblical insight and wisdom in the process of finding true freedom and peace of mind and heart.
Family Therapy
Families in today’s culture are facing difficult and damaging issues everyday. Family therapy can aid in brining the family back together in a process that helps people feel loved, heard and understood. We will explore the family unit in a supportive and nurturing environment meant to stimulate growth, love, good communication, and compassion in order to better understand the ways in which family members impact each other.
Stress Management and Distress Tolerance
Stress can be related to life events such as financial pressure, death of a loved one, family conflicts, or work demands. I give you real life, practical skills to use for “in the moment distress” that will help you go from surviving to thriving. Whether you are overwhelmed or not challenged enough, professional assistance can help foster stress tolerance and promote wellness. Together we will address managing your stress through recognizing the stressors in your life and learning how to deal with stress using effective strategies.
Crisis Response
I have experience serving clients in their most desperate moments at inpatient hospitals. I know how to help in very critical and life-threatening moments. I am well-rehearsed in responding effectively and calmly to the most distressing situations. I am here to help you or a loved one assess the level of care that is needed and how to obtain it.
Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.
Availability (by office location):
- Silverdale – Fridays
- Online (WA Only) – Fridays
Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals, couples, and families looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session, the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment, the full fee per session is required at the time of service.
Insurance: As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA), some insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out-of-Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals, and couples.
Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 4% per transaction may be added for credit card payments.
