As a Christian therapist, I seek to maintain integrity, faith, and humility in my practice, consistently gaining skills and experience to serve my clients well. When burdens become heavy and life gets painful, it may seem difficult to reach out for help. As your therapist, I offer a welcoming, nonjudgmental space where you can feel free to lay your burdens and pain down. Psalm 55:22a says, “Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you.” With God’s help, you can experience holistic healing – body, mind, and soul – and lasting hope through Jesus Christ.
My Goal as a Christian Counselor
Working collaboratively is an important part of the counseling process. Setting goals is something that we will do together. Some people come into the counseling process knowing what they want to accomplish; others don’t. Prayerfully we can work together to discover the goals that work best for you. It is my prayer that your faith in God will increase as you walk the path of healing.
What I Offer in Christian Counseling
As your therapist, I will provide a safe environment for you to share all that is on your heart and mind. I will collaborate with you to set goals and explore topics for growth. I will never push you to a conclusion, but rather walk with you on the path of healing as we discover together the strategies that work best for you and your unique situation.
My Approach to Christian Counseling
Having a Master’s in Counseling Psychology and 3,000 hours of supervision has taught me that psychotherapy alone (apart from Christ) can bring a person some comfort in their situation, but it doesn't bring complete and lasting healing. As human beings made in the image of God, we are mind, body, and spirit. Only through an integrative approach and through the Holy Spirit can a person experience the deep spiritual and psychological healing that we so desperately need.
Qualifications & Experience
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with nearly two decades of professional counseling experience. I obtained my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from American Behavioral Studies Institute. My training and internships have afforded me extensive opportunities to work with children, youth, couples, and adult individuals using various therapeutic approaches including The Gottman Method for Couples and art therapy.
My Call to Christian Counseling
It has been said that “counselors aren’t made, they are born.” I became interested in mental health as a child. My mother was studying to become a teacher and she had some books about mental health issues in children. I read her books and became concerned for those who were suffering. As a young adult, I worked as an aide in special education. It became apparent to me that these kids needed someone to talk to and that their parents needed more support than the school could offer. I spent much of my free time just listening to the kids. This made it easy for me to major in Counseling Psychology.
More About Me/On a Personal Note
Nothing beats a leisurely stroll, whether it’s through a quiet wood or along a busy street. I enjoy getting out and taking in the sights and sounds of the day. It doesn't matter what the weather is doing or who wants to join me, I enjoy my outdoor time. I also enjoy reading, mostly old books. I can’t resist a classic novel or writings about faith that were first published hundreds of years ago. I read slowly and purely for the enjoyment of it.
Areas of Expertise/Specialties
- Abandonment and Neglect
- Aging and Geriatric Issues
- Anger Management
- Anxiety
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Counseling for Teens
- Couples Counseling
- Codependency
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Family Counseling
- Grief and Loss
- Individual Counseling
- Infidelity and Affairs
- Intensive Marriage Counseling
- Lifespan Integration
- Marriage Counseling
- Men’s Issues
- Online Counseling
- Personal Development
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Premarital Counseling
- Professional Development
- Relationship Issues
- Sex and Porn Addiction
- Sexual Abuse
- Spiritual Development
- Trauma
- Weight Loss
- Women’s Issues
Couples Counseling
When did you begin to feel so alone in your marriage? Do you feel unheard or misunderstood? Now is the time to reach out for help. Through couples counseling, you and your spouse can learn ways to reconnect with each other. By exploring the emotions underlying your communication, you will learn to quickly clear up misunderstandings. As your knowledge of your relationship deepens, your understanding of God’s grace will deepen as well. Don’t go through one more painful argument; reach out today.
Individual Counseling
Are you interested in therapy but aren’t sure how it fits into your life? Perhaps you know you have some struggles, but aren’t sure if therapy will help. Are you feeling burdened by your problems? Is this a time when you could use an expert opinion and a nonjudgmental ear to listen?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then individual therapy could be the solution you’ve been seeking. I will listen to what is on your mind and heart, and we will collaborate together to find solutions that will work for you and your situation. We will rely on the guidance and authority of the Bible to set you on your path to healing. Problems are painful. Reach out today as the first step on your path to healing.
Personal Development
Do you feel stuck? Maybe you know that you could be doing more with your life, but you don’t have a clear vision of what is next. Are you wondering how your faith in God fits into your daily life?
Confusion can often surround our desire to live a full and enjoyable life. By providing a safe environment and a listening ear, we can walk through the areas of your life where you feel stuck. We will address issues regarding your career, social life, and spiritual growth. You will discover the strategies that you need to help you along your way. By addressing the whole you – body, mind, and spirit – you will be able to move from being stuck to living a more fulfilling, enjoyable life.
Life Changes
Has your life been touched by a major event such as a death, divorce, or layoffs at work? Are you having a hard time moving past the emotional turmoil? Do you feel completely stuck and in need of guidance to get back on track? Change can challenge and influence our personal growth. Change also gives us the opportunity to see what we’re made of; to become stronger, more confident, and better prepared for what life throws at us next. With each new challenge, we develop new personal skills and obtain a greater awareness of ourselves, our family, and our communities. Sometimes we can handle change and adversity by ourselves and sometimes we need a little help. I’m here to lend that helping hand and offer a warm and encouraging environment where you can speak candidly and receive care, compassion, and guidance through the changes in your life.
Chronic Pain Management
Do you remember when your doctor told you that the pain was here to stay? All hope of relief was gone. Did you feel as if you entered a dark tunnel in that moment? The thought of managing pain may seem overwhelming to you, and that is why I am here. You are the reason I have devoted hours to learning behavioral medicine. We will work together as we walk through the grief that comes with chronic pain. We will strategize to create and improve your comfort. Through learning skills rather than relying on pills, with God’s help you will be able to move into a more enjoyable life.
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):
- Vancouver – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Friday
- Online (WA Only) – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Friday
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 Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), most 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 will be added for credit card payments.
