About Me

Born and raised in northwest Virginia, I moved to Seattle in 2005 to attend The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. I completed my Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and opened my private therapy practice in 2009. My psychological training is in psychoanalytic, existential and relational approaches.

During graduate school, I completed an internship at Sound Mental Health, counseling children and adolescents. Prior to graduate school, I worked for five years as a caseworker and Asia Program Director for an international adoption agency in northern Virginia. My work there encompassed both family intervention and crisis management.

I studied at Mary Baldwin College for my undergraduate degree, graduating with a major in Biochemistry and a minor in Leadership Studies. During my time in college, I was privileged to be a part of the Virginia Women's Institute of Leadership (VWIL). I credit my time in VWIL for amazing and unforgettable experiences, lasting friendships and for sparking my interest in the varied and complex issues women face in our world today.

I am married to a wonderful man and we live in Seattle with our young daughter. I enjoy relaxing with yoga, connecting with friends and roaming Seattle's many parks and playgrounds.

My Approach

I view therapy as a partnership and a relationship between therapist and patient; both working together to address the issues which brought the individual to therapy. I prefer to begin therapy with a focus on the current feelings of unhappiness and how to provide some immediate relief. From there we will examine past hurts that, often times, without being grieved, continue to cause deep pain. As we examine these pieces together I continually work to encourage individuals to listen to their authentic, personal inner voice. I believe this internal voice is all too often silenced by the many obligations, pressures and responsibilities of our day-to-day life. The importance of learning to listen to one's own heart cannot be overstated. Another vital piece of therapy comes as we examine feelings created during the therapist/patient interaction. Learning how to deal with these feeling in a healthy, constructive way in a safe, controlled environment often provides the patient an example to use in improving relationships outside of the therapy setting. Employing these steps with space, kindness and each person's unique process allows individuals the opportunity to grieve losses, gain confidence and open up to the possibility of a happier future.