Clients have commented in the past that they appreciate my genuine care and concern for them and their stories, and that this trust between us was able to build naturally. Whether you’re dealing with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, ADHD, women’s issues, or other concerns, I would be honored to help. My goal is for you to leave therapy feeling like a more congruent individual and free from the burdens that once may have weighed you down and affected your day-to-day life and relationships as well as seeing how the gospel can be applied to all the highs and lows of your life story.
My Goal as a Christian Counselor
One of my goals as a counselor is to ultimately work myself out of a job! I do this by encouraging client autonomy through learned skills and a new or renewed confidence that you have the tools, skills, and resilience to face life’s ups and downs. We will also utilize these learned skills by being able to, at your own pace, face the painful and confusing thoughts, narratives, emotions, and somatic states that can come along with trauma, grief, loss, betrayal, and other difficult circumstances.
What I Offer in Christian Counseling
I believe that counseling is a process, and I believe in this process. Therefore, I am approachable and patient and do not force clients to go places they are not ready to go, while simultaneously lovingly challenging you to bravely take steps toward whatever healing is needed in your life. I have a certificate in trauma counseling and specialized in this during my graduate training. I take great care in supporting my clients to face those most tender and frightening life events together. You are not alone in this journey!
My Approach to Christian Counseling
My counseling practice includes a strong emphasis on integration. We will work to help you integrate your body, mind, and emotions so you can become a more congruent individual. This goes for your faith as well. The gospel of Jesus Christ not only saves us, but it sustains us as well. That means that the gospel can be carefully and intimately applied to all of our pain, fear, trauma, grief, and loss. Further, we are not saved to do this life alone. Not only will we work together to apply how the gospel is relevant and can breathe life into every part of your story, but we will look to encourage and connect you to the family, friends, and/or Christian community that is available to you. Lastly, I have a passion to help build your autonomy and confidence in your life decisions and love seeing people go from feeling stuck to feeling like they have the freedom and ability to see and make choices in their life, getting them out of that “stuck” spot.
Qualifications & Experience
I hold a B.A. in Cognitive Psychology from University of California, Irvine, an M.Ed. in Special Education from Azusa Pacific University, and an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Antioch University. I have a Certificate in Foundations of Biblical Counseling from CCEF (Christian Counseling Education Foundation) and a Trauma Counseling Certificate. I am licensed to provide counseling to clients who reside in Washington and Idaho.
My Call to Christian Counseling
God has worked in my life tremendously as a teenager and later as an adult through the therapists I saw. Thus, I’ve personally experienced how powerful therapy can be in my own life, both through the traumas I have experienced, and in my relationship with Jesus Christ. I find it an absolute honor to walk with clients through the most difficult parts of their story. I believe healing is possible and growth is a lifelong process. I love being a part of that process in people’s lives, even if only for a season.
More About Me/On a Personal Note
I am an avid rock climber, and love to hike in the woods with my dog, Spruce. I try to spend as much time outside in nature as possible and find it extremely grounding and healing. I love gardening and watching things grow from the work of my hands. I also enjoy playing acoustic and electric guitar and serve regularly in my church’s worship band.
Areas of Expertise/Specialties
- Abandonment and Neglect
- ADHD
- Anger Management
- Anxiety
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Chemical Dependency
- Coaching
- Counseling for Teens
- Codependency
- Depression
- Developmental Disorders (i.e. Autism)
- EMDR
- Eating Disorders
- Grief and Loss
- Individual Counseling
- Online Counseling
- Personal Development
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Professional Development
- Relationship Issues
- Sexual Abuse
- Social Skills
- Spiritual Development
- Trauma
- Weight Loss
- Women’s Issues
ADHD
Given my background as a special education teacher, I have worked with many individuals who have ADHD, as well as intellectual and developmental disabilities. There are practical components to your ADHD we will work on—from time management skills, how to get started on something when you feel “stuck,” how to set practical goals for yourself, and even what accommodations may be helpful for you if you are in a school or university setting.
In addition, ADHD can have a profound impact on our identity: how we see ourselves, how we think others see us, and even how we believe God sees us. We will work on these identity issues and how the narratives we tell ourselves on a daily basis can profoundly impact the way we view ourselves and the world. Lastly, I am very aware and respectful of those who may need additional processing time or have difficulty expressing thoughts. This is a safe space where you can come as you are and take your time to express yourself at the pace and rate you feel comfortable with.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD can be complex because it houses many of the same symptoms as other psychological disorders. It can be freeing to recognize that these symptoms are the result of PTSD and to be able to put a name to your experience. We will work on being able to tell your trauma story, whether by writing it out or audibly expressing it. We will also take a look at the meaning you have made about yourself, others, and the world as a result of your traumatic experience. Connecting your thoughts, emotions, and somatic sensations is vital in order to help integrate these fragmented traumatic memories so that we can, in time, begin to look at them, process them, and do the healing work necessary to gain control and power over your experience.
Women’s Issues
As women, we face a myriad of challenges throughout all developmental phases of our lives. As someone who has experienced many female-specific challenges throughout my life story, walking with you through yours is particularly close to my heart. We will look at the meaning we make from these challenges, where God is in them, how they affect our view of ourselves, and how all of this affects how we show up in our relationships with friends, families, children, communities, co-workers, and/or significant others.
Anxiety
Anxiety is worrying about something that hasn’t happened yet. Anxiety spirals can occur when we experience feelings of anxiety, often with somatic sensations that go along with it, that are then fed by anxiety-related thoughts. Together, we will seek to discover how all three of these areas affect your anxiety experience: feelings, thoughts, and body sensations. We will also take a look at self-talk and where these narratives first developed in the span of your lifetime. Additionally, we will add tools to your tool belt to allow you to be confident in knowing how to reframe your thoughts and calm yourself when faced with anxiety-provoking situations in the future.
Trauma
There are different kinds of trauma we can experience throughout life. Some traumas may even seem “small” but have gained a foothold in our lives and have significantly affected us in a variety of ways. Together, we will explore which traumas you need to give voice to, what emotions you need to identify and express related to the trauma, how it lives in your body, and how it has affected the way you show up in your relationships—including your relationship with God. Further, we will look at how this trauma affects your view of yourself, the world, others, and God, and work to reframe unhelpful views where appropriate.
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):
- Spokane Valley – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
- Online (WA only) – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
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 (LMHC), 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.
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
