About Me
        I hold a Master’s of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University; Seattle, WA and a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Puget Sound; Tacoma, WA. In addition to my private practice, my experience as a therapist and case manager at a large community mental health agency in the area has provided me the opportunity to work with adults facing a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, chronic pain, eating disorders and schizophrenia.
        Prior to becoming a therapist, I spent several challenging and gratifying years working on local campaigns in Washington State, assisting non-profits with their public relations needs in Arizona and volunteering for several organizations community-based organizations such as Real Change News in Seattle, WA.

About Therapy
        The process of therapy involves a collaborative relationship that helps define problems and discover solutions while honoring individual uniqueness and self-expression. The length of time you spend in therapy can vary greatly depending on your individual goals, the complexity of the issues being addressed and your readiness for change. We will discuss this further as our work together progresses.

Risks and Benefits of Therapy
        Clients typically experience positive results from the changes they make during therapy and therapeutic treatment has been shown to have benefits to those who participate in the process. However, it is not unusual for clients and/or their families and loved ones to experience discomfort, stress, anxiety, frustration, sadness or other emotions as change occurs. Generally, this is a temporary stage that passes as the client transitions and grows during the therapeutic process. Clients typically report positive results from successful therapy including better relationships, improved communication skills, an increase in self-awareness and emotional release.

Confidentiality
        In general, everything that is said during our counseling sessions is strictly confidential. This means that I will not disclose information about you that could identify you in any way without your consent and written permission. However, there are certain circumstances in which I am legally required to break confidentiality. These circumstances are:

• If I have reason to believe that you pose an imminent danger to yourself or another person, I am required to take protective actions; which may include notifying the potential victim, notifying the police or others with the authority to intervene, or seeking appropriate hospitalization.
• If I have reason to believe that a child, elderly person, or a disabled person is being abused (i.e. a person unable to care for him/herself), I may be required to file a report with the appropriate state agency.
• If a court orders me via subpoena to provide a presentation of treatment

        Furthermore, we may discover during our work together that it would be beneficial to your care for me to speak with someone else in your life. Should this situation arise, I will utilize a separate form to gain your written permission before engaging in such a communication.

Medication Management
        In some cases, psychiatric medications may be an effective complement to talk therapy. If we agree that you may benefit from such treatment, I can refer you to the psychiatrist on site with whom I can consult regularly.