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:

  • Are in Difficult Relationships/Dating/Divorce
  • Experience Depression and Anxiety symptoms
  • Are dealing with Challenging Jobs/Vocational Stress
  • Want Life Balance/Organization
  • Have had Physical Injury/Sport Injury/Physical Health Needs/Brain Injury

In our work I will help you:

  • Recognize values
  • Find purpose
  • 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)