My Approach to Helping
Our families are our first social environment and, consequently, are powerful in how they shape our behavior. There is nothing like a romantic relationship to put us in touch with the attachment wounds, negative patterns, or roles with which we grew up. In fact, Imago theory posits that we will actually choose a mate that is exquisitely designed to push our buttons! The idea, of course, is to propel us to grow and change. Often, however, I find that this is the gridlock in which couples find themselves when they present to therapy.
My expertise comes into play in holding the space for clients to examine themselves and their relationships in such a way as to enlarge their view and their capacity for change. My experience, education, and intuition allow me a razor sharp focus to see and interrupt negative patterns of interaction and collaboratively move them in a more healthful direction.
More Info About My Practice
Since 1988, I have been serving the Kirkland and Greater Seattle area in various mental health capacities counseling folks on issues including:
Communication, EMDR, Mindfulness, Anxiety, Parenting, Blended families,
Intimacy, Sexuality, Depression, Self Esteem, Integration of self, Sexual abuse
I am currently scheduling for telehealth sessions using MS Teams.
My Role as a Therapist
Some people ask why I became a therapist, and my response is usually ?I was born a therapist.? Being a middle child in a large family, you quickly learn to sink or swim. I am a swimmer and congruency is the key: 39 years of my own personal growth allow me to ?be the change? others seek and can model after.
Along the way, I assist clients in identifying how their trauma history (or attachment wounds) impact their everyday life and especially with their partners or nuclear family (family of choice). I am very interested in the neurological reactions folks are having to their situations and what, if anything, is in their history to bolster those reactions. My work takes into account neural plasticity while helping clients attune to their own inner world with a mindful and compassionate presence and letting go of the maladaptive or ineffective behaviorsskills from the past. My ability to hold each person with tenderness and creativity while we move toward your goals is transformative in the therapeutic process. You have already accomplished what is sometimes the most difficult part of therapy which is to reach out for help!
