You, Me and Therapy
Professional Background
Alaska Licensed Professional Counselor - #125634
Oregon Licensed Professional Counselor - #C10330
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Master of Science in Counseling Psychology | APU (2015)
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology | UAA (2011)
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Advanced Trainings:
Brainspotting
Internal Family Systems
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Specialized Trainings:
Complex Trauma / Attachment Trauma
Family Systems
Neurodivergence (with a focus on ADHD and Autism)
Suicide and Self-Harm
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Jen (she/they)
So, why choose me?
Therapy can be daunting. challenging, and a little weird -- but at the end, the hope is that there has been healing.
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Not all therapists are created equally. We each have areas where we shine, which is why finding a therapist who is a good fit matters so much. I'm passionate about helping folks move through what's daunting, what's challenging and toward healing.​ I often draw from approaches that connect mind and body, and that welcome in all the parts of ourselves that we tend to hide from the world.
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My job is to create a safe space for you. Part of how I do that is by showing up in a genuine and compassionate way -- with some quirkiness mixed in. Humor can be powerful medicine, especially when used right in therapy. ​I am not a blank slate, and I won't leave you hanging trying to figure out how to lead therapy on your own.
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My process is collaborative. I don't pretend to know better than you, and I don't seek authority over the decisions you make. My goal is to help you build confidence, clarity, and balance in your life.
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I hold many identities, but the ones that tend to matter most to clients are that I am neurodivergent (AuDHDer), part of the LGBQTIA2+ community, a parent, a partner, and a million other little things that shape how I move through the world.
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At this time, I am accepting new clients for my waitlist only. Consultations are used to determine fit and placement; they do not guarantee immediate availability. During our call, I will be transparent about estimated wait times.
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For info about my professional background, hover over the blue button to the left.
Brainspotting
Brainspotting is based on the understanding that our bodies hold experiences in ways that don’t always live in words. Sometimes we “know” something is there — a tight chest, a sudden wave of emotion, a sense of being overwhelmed — but talking about it doesn’t quite reach it. Brainspotting helps us gently access and process these deeper layers by paying attention to where your gaze naturally settles when something meaningful is coming up. The simple idea behind it is that where you look can influence how you feel, because your nervous system and attention are closely linked.
You’ve likely experienced this without realizing it — staring off into space, zoning out, or feeling pulled inward while your body processes something on its own. In session, we work intentionally with this natural process, at a pace that feels safe and collaborative. Brainspotting isn’t about forcing anything or reliving trauma; it’s about creating the conditions for your system to do what it already knows how to do — move toward resolution. Many people find it allows for relief, clarity, and integration in ways that feel more embodied and less effortful than talking alone.
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If you would like additional information or resources regarding Brainspotting, you are welcome to reach out to me.​
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Internal Family Systems
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic approach that recognizes, explores and honors the complexity of our bodies, brains and minds.
*Developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, IFS is based on the premise that we all have different "parts" within us, each with its own unique thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. We often just feel isolated in our minds, aware to some degree of internal conflict but not realizing just how often our "parts" are getting activated and taking over the drivers seat in all aspects of our daily life. They may engage our anxiety and cause us to call out of work often, they may show up when our kids are having a difficult time and cause us to overpower the situation with yelling or threats and they often show up during difficult discussions with partners or friends, causing rifts that we desperately try to mend time and time again.
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These parts often play distinct roles in our lives, and engaging and building relationship with them can lead to significant growth and healing. Through compassion, courage, curiosity, and creativity, IFS empowers individuals to cultivate self-love, resolve inner / outer conflicts, and to create a peaceful inner world.
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*IFS is one of several parts-based approaches, and the idea of working with “parts” is not new. Similar frameworks exist in Ego State Therapy, Psychosynthesis, Structural Dissociation, Gestalt, and many somatic and trauma-informed models — with roots that extend even further back into indigenous, shamanistic, and contemplative traditions.
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If you would like additional information or resources regarding IFS, you are welcome to reach out to me.​