Research has shown again and again that the most impactful part of the success of psychotherapy is the actual therapeutic relationship. So, finding a therapist you feel is a good fit is really important. That's a dynamic I hope we can begin to explore during a free consultation where we can have a conversation, but for starters let me just share a little bit about me.
I’ve known from personal experience the absolute necessity of stopping and reconsidering what has or has not been working in life. I’ve also experienced renewal and regeneration I could not have imagined was possible in my mind, emotions, body, and soul. All of these parts of my story are what led to my becoming a counselor.
Before becoming a therapist, I worked in jobs as varied as draftsman, editor, barista, computer specialist (back in the ‘80’s so I definitely don’t claim to be tech-savvy today!), teacher, project manager, staff coordinator, and business owner. But my work as a therapist facilitates a long-time love of connecting more deeply with others and embracing how the beauty of our differences can collaboratively combine toward a better experience together.
Previous to my current therapeutic work as a fully licensed clinician in private practice, I walked alongside clients as an associate licensed mental health counselor affiliated with Northwest Family Life in Seattle, with a primary focus on individuals experiencing the effects of domestic violence. Before that, I interned one year at Lahai Health offering low-cost therapy to underserved communities in King and Snohomish Counties. I also volunteered as a crisis counselor for a broad range of callers in distress and at an emergency shelter for survivors seeking respite from the commercial sex trade.
When I’m not working, my Southern California upbringing predisposes me to seek out sun every chance I get while staying active by going for walks, paddle boarding, hiking, and other outdoor activities. And, when I’m not outside, the couple things I love most are to dance and to play piano—especially with music that blends well-paced pauses into a moving melody. I guess that’s another reason I was drawn to the name Fermata Therapy!
Training & Credentials
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State of Washington Licensed Mental Health Counselor (#LH61523921)
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Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST—Janina Fisher’s
IFS-adjacent parts work modality): L1 certified. Currently working toward L2 certification -
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: L1 certified
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Brainspotting: L1 and L2 training completed. Currently working toward full clinical hours for certification
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M.A in Counseling Psychology at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology
Professional Affiliations
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Partner at Northwest Family Life
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Washington Mental Health Counselors Association
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American Mental Health Counselors Association
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Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute
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Northwest Alliance for Psychoanalytic Studies
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American Group Psychotherapy Association