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About Me
What I BelieveThrough my work as a therapist, I see each person I work with as a separate individual. I truly believe that everyone tries the hardest they can to meet their own goals. But often, people come up against roadblocks they didn't expect, or feel like they can't overcome. These can include unexpected or overpowering thoughts and feelings, past traumas and experiences coming back to the surface, or a lack of hope or self-confidence. When that happens, it can be helpful to talk to a therapist, an objective person who's specially trained to guide you through all of these roadblocks, and many more.
My ExperienceMy experiences as a counselor have been broad. I have worked in counseling agencies, psychiatric crisis centers, hospitals, universities, and schools. I have provided couples counseling to clients across the gender and orientation spectrum. I have taught parenting classes, led support groups, and created boundary and social skill classes for homeless women transitioning into housing. I have worked with people of all ages, including families and couples. Most often, my work has focused on helping women and trauma survivors reach their goals for healing, self-acceptance, and growth.
Some of the many topics I have worked with:
My Education and CertificationI have a Master of Science Degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling from Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. This degree is a mental health counseling degree with extra coursework related to the specifics of disability and mental health. My research focused on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which included how traumatic experiences impact the mind and body. As a result of this extra training, I am also a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC).
I am also a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) in Washington, DC, and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in my home state of Oregon. In the Oregon, licensure requires completing a masters program, obtaining at least 2,400 hours of direct face-to-face counseling experience (beyond graduate school), and the completion of 100 hours individual supervision with another licensed counseling supervisor. In Washington, DC, the requirements are similar, but include 200 hours of supervision with a licensed supervisor. I have a few more hours to go in DC to fully meet criteria for an LPC, but I am very close. Additionally, in all jurisdictions, in order to be licensed to practice, you must pass a certification exam. In my case, I passed the Certified Rehabilitation Counseling exam (CRCC), when also enables me to have certification as a CRC, as described above. Part of being a therapist means I am required to continue taking classes throughout my career. Because of this, my education and experience is always growing, and I keep up with the latest research on effective treatment. My SupervisionI am supervised by the District of Columbia Board of Professional Counseling and the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists. Previously, in Oregon, my registered supervisor was Johnnie Burt, LPC.
If you want to learn more about counseling or are interested in working with me to achieve your mental health goals, please contact me.
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