As a Christian counselor, my goal is to help you find hope and strength, worth and peace, not in spite of your trials and pain, but by having lived through them. I believe each person, no matter their age or life experience, has their own unique story to tell and deserves a listening, attentive ear. I look forward to hearing your story and working with you to reach the goals you have for your life, with God’s help and direction.
My Goal as a Christian Counselor
My goal as your counselor is to provide you with a caring, safe space in which you feel comfortable to be yourself and process your thoughts and struggles in your own unique way and at your own pace without pressure or judgment. By viewing and treating clients holistically – mind, body, and spirit – I will help you consider and incorporate all aspects of yourself throughout the counseling process.
What I Offer in Christian Counseling
I approach each counseling session and every client with empathy, compassion, and unconditional positive regard. I will actively listen to your concerns and needs in order to determine the best direction and structure for our sessions. I invite you to come as you are, wherever you are in your life and faith journey. As your counselor I will accept you unconditionally, listen without judgment, and develop a treatment plan for your specific needs to accomplish your goals.
My Approach to Christian Counseling
As human beings, our lives have multiple dimensions. Not only are we psychological, cognitive, and social beings; we are spiritual beings, as well. Too often the counseling process disregards the spiritual dimension of clients’ lives, overlooking key aspects of how clients derive meaning and purpose, as well as their primary source of comfort, strength, and wisdom. As a Christian counselor, I honor my clients’ beliefs and relationship with God, integrating them into the counseling process to the degree each client feels most comfortable. My faith also helps me understand and empathize when clients have feelings of spiritual disillusionment, abandonment by God, lament, guilt, and shame. As a Christian, I know that every human is broken, yet in our brokenness, God grants us all grace. As a Christian counselor, I incorporate evidence-based counseling practices and psychological theory while honoring and integrating my clients’ Christian principles.
Qualifications & Experience
I have an MA in Mental Health Counseling from Northwest University and a BA in Organizational Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. While at Northwest University, I gained my clinical experience counseling young adults at the Northwest University Wellness Center.
I have counseled clients suffering with symptoms of depression, anxiety, panic attacks, trauma, dissociation, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, suicidal ideation, and sexual abuse. My past experience has afforded me a variety of opportunities to serve others in a wide range of capacities, including working with elementary special education students, immigrant and refugee families, managers, employees, and business owners.
My Call to Christian Counseling
Having observed the increasing mental health issues in society, our schools, and our community over the years, I decided to change my career path so I can support those who are struggling. With family members who have challenges with ADHD, anxiety, and autism spectrum disorder, I have experienced firsthand the life-changing effects that counseling can provide. My goal is to help others experience the healing, freedom, and sense of peace that working with a caring, empathetic counselor can provide.
More About Me/On a Personal Note
I enjoy spending time with friends and family, including my husband and three teenagers, and doing anything outdoors – gardening, hiking, skiing, biking, walking our dog, kayaking, paddle boarding, and camping. I also enjoy reading, traveling, music, eating great food, volunteering, and being active in my church community.
Areas of Expertise/Specialties
- Abandonment and Neglect
- ADHD
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Anger Management
- Anxiety
- Coaching
- Couples Counseling
- Counseling for Teens
- Codependency
- Depression
- Grief and Loss
- Individual Counseling
- Marriage Counseling
- Online Counseling
- Personal Development
- Premarital Counseling
- Professional Development
- Relationship Issues
- Sexual Abuse
- Trauma
- Women’s Issues
Anxiety
Sometimes excessive worrying, anxious thoughts, feelings, fears, or panic attacks can begin to control our lives, and the harder we try to control our anxiety, the worse it becomes. During our sessions, you will learn what’s causing your anxiety and how to stop struggling to control it. You will learn what you can control, how to be kinder to and more accepting of yourself, and how to reclaim a sense of peace.
Depression
If you are struggling with depression, you are not alone; depression is the most common mental health challenge in society today. Yet it makes us feel so very alone. Depression is extremely complex, and every client experiences it in their own unique way. I walk with my clients as they move through their depression, develop new skills and ways of thinking, and rediscover a life that is worth living.
ADHD – Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Years ago, ADHD was believed to be a behavior disorder affecting children and adolescents, mainly boys. Today, we understand that ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that causes challenges with focus, impulsivity, emotion regulation, planning, organizing, and motivation, and affects people of all ages, male and female. As I work with adolescents and adults with ADHD, we focus on their many strengths as they learn strategies to improve their functioning in school, at work, at home, and in their relationships, as well as self-compassion and self-worth.
Counseling for Teens
Adolescence is a time of growth physically, cognitively, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Some teen clients simply need an empathetic, unbiased sounding board to help them navigate the tricky transition from childhood to adulthood. Some suffer with depression, anxiety, ADHD, suicidal thoughts, or self-harm. As a parent, it can be unsettling, perhaps even frightening, when a child needs help. Rest assured that I treat all my teenage clients with compassion, empathy, and evidence-based practices.
Women’s Issues
As hard as we may try, we can’t do it all. So often women struggle with our own expectations of what it means to be a good person, good mother, good wife, good daughter, good Christian, have a successful career, take care of aging parents, and on and on. Some of the issues I work with that are unique to – or uniquely experienced by – women include perfectionism, boundaries, parenting, relationships, ADHD, body image, aging, infertility, shame, and self-worth.
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):
- Bellevue – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
- Online (WA only)
Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals 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 and individuals.
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.
