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 in private practice affiliated with Northwest Family Life, I’ve walked alongside others as a therapist at Lahai Health in King and Snohomish Counties. I’ve 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. Each precious person and experience I’ve encountered has invaluably contributed to who I am as a therapist today.
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, biking, and other outdoor activities. And, when I’m not outside, a couple things I love most are to dance and to play piano, especially along with riveting rhythms that blend 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 Associate (#MC61288483)
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Certification in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for Trauma Themes (93 hours), as well as a number of other shorter somatic- or narrative trainings for treating trauma
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M.A. in Counseling Psychology at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology
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B.A. in Spanish Linguistics at University of California, Irvine
Professional Affiliations
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American Counseling Association
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Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute
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Northwest Alliance for Psychoanalytic Studies
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The Association for Creativity in Counseling