I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Chemical Dependency Professional with the State of Washington, trained to address mental health and addiction issues. I believe we live our lives in patterns both healthy and unhealthy. Counseling is a bit like detective work, seeking solutions by uncovering these patterns and becoming more aware of how they affect the way we live. As a counselor, I help facilitate change by assisting my clients to understand how negative habits or ways of thinking have developed and what we can do to make a positive difference in changing them, whether they involve communication issues, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, anxiety, relationship challenges, conflict, stress or fear.
My specialty is addictions, particularly substance abuse. Struggling with substances is often a shameful and lonely endeavor. It is a problem that few want to talk about. The more silent we are, the heavier it gets. Counseling may be a way to start on a different path or at least to educate yourself on how the chemicals may be affecting your life. As our awareness grows, so too do our choices.
I focus on evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy and mindfulness approaches. I work with adolescents, individual adults and families. I believe that the past informs the present and we carry baggage with us that often contributes to our struggles. Constructing a concrete plan to address your priority issues and making realistic goals will help us work towards your success. Oh… and I often give homework (in bite size, digestible pieces).
Credentials
Licensed Mental Health Counselor #LH 60279152 – Washington State
Chemical Dependency Professional #CP 60079356 – Washington State
Education
Masters of Arts in Mental Health Counseling – Seattle University
Chemical Dependency Professional – Seattle Central Community College
Masters of Arts in International Relations – Denver University
Bachelors of Arts in International Affairs – University of Colorado, Boulder
Experience
Clinical Instructor – UW Family Medical Residency Program – Current
Crisis Intervention Specialist – Children’s Crisis Outreach Response System
Mental Health Counselor – UW Family Medical Residency Program, Roosevelt Clinic and Harborview Clinic
Chemical Dependency Counselor – Recovery Centers of King County
If you have any questions or would like to call me for an appointment or a free 15 minute phone consultation to discuss how an action plan through counseling may benefit you, please contact me directly at (206) 696-2024.
