I believe that life is beautiful, strange, painful, often dull, potentially sweet, marred by abuse and injustice, hopeful, and filled with the desire to love and be loved. I also believe that none of us should be alone in life, and that all of us need help. I believe in the process of counseling, that sitting with someone who listens, responds, and remembers can be healing and redemptive and life-giving. I have seen many people engage in the counseling process and come through it with brighter faces, more robust dreams, deeper compassion, and a more kind and encouraging voice inside themselves. And in my opinion, that is a big deal. I believe that all of us deserve to be supported and cared for, especially when facing hard situations or histories, and I believe the kind of support I offer can be transformational. I believe our bodies are good and fascinating and excellent sources of understanding and holders of memory, and I love to be with others in engaging the wisdom of their bodies, as well as noticing where it’s hard to be caring of or close to their bodies. I am a Masters Level Therapist, and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LH61043136). I am engaged in on-going learning, always curious to learn more and grow in my skills.

I love stories, and I believe that how we tell the stories of our lives--both to others and to ourselves--impacts how we experience and choose our lives. I studied Creative Writing for my undergraduate degree, receiving a BA from Western Washington University. I spent the next years saving up for graduate school, intending to further my studies in writing. However, my story took a different turn when I followed a childhood dream of working with orphans. I spent time living in Sri Lanka at a children's home, where the deep love and care I felt for the children opened up my awareness of how little I knew of what trauma survivors really need. My desire to know more led to enrolling at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, where I pursued my MA in Counseling Psychology. My learning there was not only clinical but also deeply transformative as I began to name and tend to the wounds and traumas of my own story. Now in many ways, the work I do as a therapist, trainer and coach fulfills my childhood dream of caring for orphans. In my work with people, I help people come home to their stories and bodies, their hearts and their dreams, reclaiming and adopting back in what was lost because of trauma.

I first opened a private counseling practice in 2009. In addition to seeing clients in my virtual private practice, I work with The Allender Center, engaging in the work of Narrative Focused Trauma Care. I teach and facilitate groups of others who, like me, want to know not only how to find healing in their own stories but also to be part of the healing of others’.

I am a former foster parent and an adoptive mother, and work with those who have foster care or adoption as part of their story, holding space for all the deep complexities that come with that. I believe in a good God and know deeply the truth that too many of those who say the same are willing to harm and control others in the name of God; survivors of spiritual abuse will find a place of understanding and deep respect for their beliefs, deconstructing and stories with me. I know the corrosive damage of childhood sexual abuse lingers long into adulthood, and love to work with people who are willing to do the wildly brave work of tending to the parts of them wounded by such experiences—whether subtle or overt. I am a highly sensitive person and enjoy working with those who also experience this trait and want support learning to tend to it with kindness and insight. I am married to a TCK (Third Culture Kid) and through that have deep care for those who share this experience. If any of these strike a chord with you, or if you have another desire or concern you want support in, I would love the opportunity to engage with you.

photo by Jeni Nelson