Have you ever felt you are … letting the days go by and ask yourself, how do I work this? Or ... as you get ready for work, your next date, or family event … you feel as though you are sailing away on a Wave of Mutilation and ask Where is My Mind? Maybe The Thrill is Gone.
And, yes, I reference song lyrics as part of identifying feelings, passion, and purpose. [Mentioned above: Remain in Light, Talking Heads, 1980; Doolittle, Pixies, 1989; Surfer Rosa, Pixies, 1989; Completely Well, B.B. King, 1969]
I understand looking for escape, unfortunate habits and feeling stuck. [Amidst obstacles, pitfalls, and unforeseen events of daily life.]
I provide virtual therapy for adults (18+) who:
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Are in Difficult Relationships/Dating/Divorce
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Experience Depression and Anxiety symptoms
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Are dealing with Challenging Jobs/Vocational Stress
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Want Life Balance/Organization
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Have had Physical Injury/Sport Injury/Physical Health Needs/Brain Injury
In our work I will help you:
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Recognize values
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Find purpose
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Initiate and empower growth
In other words: I aim to assist you Explore, Rebuild, and Define goals connected with Values, Purpose, and Intention.
THERAPEUTIC APPROACH
I practice Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for depression, anxiety, relationship difficulty, life change events, and Brain Injury.
I have completed Level One and Level Two Gottman Method Couples Therapy Training. I use Gottman tools within individual therapy sessions, because communication skills are useful in ALL relationships (including family members, friends, neighbors, children, and work colleagues.)
PERSONAL (otherwise known as the rest of my awesome human life)
I spent my adolescence growing up in the agricultural surroundings of California’s Central Valley. In 1996, I moved to Portland, Oregon to attend Reed College with a focus on History. In memory of my valley roots, I wrote a thesis titled: Who You Callin’ Okie? (Based on love for Steinbeck, Merle Haggard, and Dorothea Lange.)
Fast Forward:
During my fabulous tenure as Metropolitan Public Defender Alternative Sentencing Advocate, I decided to be a therapist. And, before graduate school, I was running in NE Portland and was hit by a car (35 MPH.)
Long (resilient) story short:
I am a Brain Injury Survivor. This experience shifted my perspective. It allowed me to step back and recognize gratitude and the power of being alive.
Here and Now:
I value barre, spin, dance, art, and music. I value therapy as a source of connection. All humans are interesting, complex, and different - similar to my love for music: Vivaldi (Four Seasons), Otis Redding, and HAIM.
Education / Connection / Experience
Education
Portland State University Portland, OR
Masters in Social Work, June 2019
Reed College Portland, OR
Bachelor of Arts in History, May 2000
Certification / Training
Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Level TWO: Assessment, Intervention, and Co-Morbidities
Gottman Institute, January 2023
Sweet Dreams - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Nightmares (CBT-N)
Exposure Relaxation and Rescripting Therapy (ERRT)
JoAnn Davis, Department of Psychology, University of Tulsa, December 2, 2022
Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Level One: Bridging the Couple Chasm
Gottman Institute, December 2022
DBT in a Nutshell: Treating Multi-Diagnostic, Complex Individuals
Portland DBT Institute, August 2022
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Grief and Loss
Dr. Russ Harris/Psychwire, March 2022
Accelerated Resolution Therapy
ART International Accelerated Resolution Therapy Training & Research
December 2021
Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Depression & Anxiety Disorders
Dr. Russ Harris/Psychwire, October 2021
Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) Brief Intervention
Dr. Russ Harris/Psychwire, March 2021
Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) Introduction
Dr. Russ Harris/Psychwire, June 2020
Experience
Central City Concern Old Town Recovery Center (OTRC) Portland, OR
Integrated Health and Recovery Treatment Team (IHART), Mental Health Therapist (11/2019 – 8/2022)
Center for Health and Healing, Oregon Health & Science University Portland, OR
Outpatient Neurology/Master of Social Work Intern, (2/2019 – 5/2019)
Hospital/Inpatient Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University Portland, OR
Inpatient Neurology/ICU, Master of Social Work Intern, (11/2018 -5/2019)
Central City Concern Old Town Recovery Center Portland, OR
Integrated Outpatient Team, Master of Social Work Intern, (9/2017 – 6/2018)
Metropolitan Public Defender Portland, OR
Alternative Sentencing Advocate, (11/2001 – 8/2018)
Organizations / Committees / Groups
Brain Injury Connections NorthWest Board Member (October 2022 - Present)
LoveYourBrain Foundation Clinical Connector (February 2022 – Present)
Marquam Auction Agency Principal Bid Assistant/Social Media, Portland, OR (September 2017 – Present)
Metropolitan Public Defender Engagement Group Facilitator
(working in collaboration with the Oregon Attorney Assistance Program, 11/2015- 8/2018)
Multnomah County ReEntry Council
(representing the Metropolitan Public Defender, 12/2009 – 8/2018)
Multnomah County Drug & Alcohol Treatment Provider Group
(representing the Metropolitan Public Defender, 2/2008 – 8/2018)
Human Being Art Show Assistant
(assisted David Slader and the Oregon Justice Resource Center with the Gallery 114 Human Being Art Show, featuring prison artists, 2/2017-7/2017)
The Other Bar of Oregon
(support network for lawyers in recovery, voluntary service commitment, 2/2014 – 7/2014)