Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Gig Harbor, WA covered by United Healthcare

I am a well-seasoned counselor with decades of experience.

With 30 years of experience as a therapist, I earned my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Stanford University, specializing in school and community-based counseling. I'm dedicated to guiding clients through challenges like trauma, anxiety, and depression, fostering self-awareness and providing practical strategies for greater clarity and fulfillment. My practice is built on a compassionate approach, crafting personalized, evidence-based therapy to help you thrive. I also bring a unique perspective from my work as a university professor and international consultant, promoting mental health equity and inclusivity worldwide.

I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to connect to others through compassion, meaningful conversations and authenticity. I started my own mental health journey when I was affected by crippling anxiety in my twenties. I felt alone and ashamed and really just needed someone to listen compassionately. I now want to offer this to others.

I received my BA in Social Sciences from Washington State University and went on to finish my Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy at Touro University. I have three years of clinical experience and have worked with individuals, couples, and families. My main focus is: self-esteem, anxiety, depression, neurodivergence, life transitions, relationship issues, and communication.

I am a good match for clients who want to:

• improve self-esteem
• reduce anxiety and/ or depression
• improve how they communicate with others
• learn how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected and how they can utilize new skills to make changes in their lives
• accept themselves for who they are now, while committing to growth
• be as kind to themselves as they are to others
• understand and utilize neurodivergence to reach their full potential

I am not a good match for those who require very specialized care, including clients who are experiencing active:

• delusions, hallucinations, or paranoia
• suicidal ideation or self-harm
• addiction
• disordered eating
• personality disorder, i.e., borderline, narcissistic, etc.
• domestic violence
• obsessive-compulsive disorder

I am also not a good match for those who are seeking therapy with the primary or secondary goal of obtaining a letter or testimony from a therapist for legal, employment reasons, etc.

With over 15 years of experience, I have worked with children, adults, and families in diverse roles (counseling, education, disability services, healthcare, and social services). These experiences have equipped me with versatility and empathy towards the various challenges faced by individuals (spouses, parents, caregivers & employees). Currently, my focus is on clients ages 18 - geriatric who are dealing with anxiety/depression stemming from stress, life transitions, relationships, and trauma.

I'm licensed in AZ , ID, and WA. I expect that the work we do in session will translate into your everyday life outside of session. I hold my clients with high regard and expect them to do the work toward recovery. Those who I accept as my clients have a strong desire to get themselves together will do great work toward recovery. The the goal is short term care for long term gain.

I am an RN with over 18 years of experience in nursing, specializing in mental health care. I am also a PMHNP-BC, and I obtained my first degree from Grand Canyon University and my Masters from Walden University. I manage clients across the lifespan and use a holistic and patient-centered approach.

As a therapist, I work to form an empathetic and collaborative relationship with clients and form an understanding of the difficulties that brought them to therapy, explore clients' goals, and how to achieve them. As the client being the expert, we will work to identify what is holding them back from achieving and maintaining their desired results. As a former division l scholar athlete, my goal is to work as a team and encourage clients in a direction towards positive change.