Services
About My Clients
My areas of specialty are trauma recovery, anxiety, depression, Bipolar Disorder, PTSD and Autistic Spectrum Disorder. I am an Autism acceptance ally who believes that every person has strengths and gifts. I am experienced in PTSD, acute, chronic and complex. Clients describe me as gentle, consistent, funny, and caring. I believe strongly in the growth and healing potential of every person. I enjoy working with adolescents and parents to improve communication and quality of relationships.
My Background and Approach
Throughout my 28 year career, I have learned many practical tools and will explain the brain-body connection and the “whys” of the tools. The science matters! I chose to become trained and certified in Brainspotting because it is easily adapted to Telehealth use and it is flexible and creative. I have successfully used Brainspotting through Telehealth to treat anxiety, trauma, depression, chronic pain, nightmares, and for general calm and relaxation. I work very slowly and gently. You are the one in charge! In fact, my Facebook page is The Gentle Therapist. I use a combination of different approaches, including person-centered, somatic work, CBT, DBT, IFS, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. I am flexible with your needs and can see you twice a week, once a week, twice a month, or once a month. I have extensive experience working with kids and adolescents, with kids as young as eight via Telehealth. My goal is to work myself out of a job and to get you out in the world living life!
My Personal Beliefs and Interests
As a social worker, I support equality and the belief that everyone should have access to mental health care and social support. I am active in clergy sexual abuse justice and worked on behalf of childhood friends to get a former youth pastor disqualified from the pulpit with the support of mainstream media. I am part of a blended family, have an adult son on the autistic spectrum, and close friends and family who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community. I understand from first-hand experience depression, anxiety, and trauma. I am a passionate animal rescuer, and all of our pets are rescues. I have fostered cats, kittens, and dogs and volunteered at animal shelters. I am experienced personally and professionally with grief and loss and have volunteered as a facilitator with two groups in recent years: victims of trauma, and mothers who have lost a child to death. I have experienced the death of an uncle to suicide. I live on a working cattle ranch and care for the cattle myself.