About Me
As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I take an integrative and relational approach to therapy; drawing from Narrative, Feminist, Relational-Cultural, and Polyvagal. “Social Justice Informed Therapy” means that I believe that one cannot fully be trauma-informed without also recognizing the trauma that comes from experiencing injustice and inequality. When healing from trauma, it is important to understand what is happening in the brain and body. Our body is where we store trauma and stress. This can look like headaches, stomachaches, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and chronic, unexplained pain. Even when the mind cannot remember, the body does.
I have been working in the field of Gender-Based Violence since 2011 as a domestic violence/sexual assault advocate. I started in this field working a sexual assault hotline, providing resources, emotional support, and accompanying survivors to the hospital. While sitting with people during the Sexual Assault Nurse Exam (SANE) and police interviews I discovered my life’s passion of walking alongside survivors as they faced some of their darkest moments. Since then I have continued working in this field both in residential and community settings.
My most recent experience has expanded to include specializing in supporting survivors who also have lived experience with substance use. This has opened the door to supporting people through what is now known as multi-abuse trauma. We do what we have to, to survive what we’re going through. As we transition out of survival mode, some of those skills and behaviors no longer make sense in our daily lives. They can get in the way of our relationships and ability to walk though the world. I believe that therapy is an active and dynamic process, as we re-examine things that may not be helping you anymore, and work to build new skills.
Outside of my practice I enjoy holing up with tea and a good book, exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest, and going on photography expeditions. I grew up in a family of quilters, and find great joy carrying on the tradition, creating quilts for friends and loved ones.