PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

* Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), WA License #LH00007540  -- since 2002
* Certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) – since 2006
* Director of Spokane Chapter of Washington Mental Health Counselor Assn - 2007-2010

* Washington State Child Mental Health Specialist (CMHS) – since 2001

* Washington State Mental Health Professional (MHP) – since 2000        

EDUCATION:

COUNSELING THEORIES USED:

I use a variety of therapeutic theories/techniques in my counseling, depending on which will best suit your needs. These include EMDR to desensitize traumatic memories; CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), to integrate your thoughts, behaviors, and feelings; attachment theory to support development of healthy, life-enhancing relationships; and Control Mastery Theory (a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy which incorporates the impact of trauma to your thought processes. More information on any of these theories can be found on the Resources page.

The ultimate goal of therapy is to promote a full awareness and acceptance of yourself from which you can effectively negotiate the world. This includes:  increasing your abilities to experience, regulate and express feelings; decreasing any sensitivity to trauma triggers; helping you to recognize life patterns and alter them; assisting you to recognize your needs and self-activate to meet them; improving your self-esteem and the quality your relationships; increasing your ability to set, hold, and honor boundaries; increasing your effectiveness in negotiate relationships and compromises; and any other goals which you may have for counseling.

ADDITIONALLY:

For your protection, and to provide you the best counseling I can, I hold myself to the highest ethical standards, which includes maintaining current licensure, having appropriate insurance, receiving regular outside consultation, and adhering to the Code of Ethics of the American  Mental Health Counselor Association and the American Counseling Association.