Approach

My style in session is warm, relational, down-to-earth and strengths-based. I bring a spirit of curiosity, collaboration and compassion to each session. The way I view the world considers the ways systems of oppression and shape our present and past and as a result, this lens is always woven into the work I do with clients.

I have been a therapist since 2016 and over that time, I’ve been able to prioritize expanding and deepening my therapeutic knowledge and skills. The theories and modalities that I've been trained in that most inform my work are:  

  • Internal Family Systems® (IFS)

    • 36-hrs of training, special focus on how an IFS-informed practice can be queer and trans inclusive and affirming

  • Somatic Experiencing® (SE)

    • 48-hrs of training, completed Level 2

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skill-building

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Psychodynamic exploration 

  • Mindfulness 

Areas of Specialization

 

Exploring identity

  • Processing thoughts, feelings, desires about gender gender expression and identity, sexuality, romantic orientation, polyamory, LGBTQIA+ identities etc. in a kink and poly-affirming space

  • Exploring the nuances, complexities of having a bi/multiracial identity, making sense of mixed race and multiracial/biracial experiences

  • Discussing class, culture, disability, and other identities as is helpful

  • Processing a ‘late-diagnosis’ of ADHD and/or autism and what this means to you

Strengthening relationship skills

  • Distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy relationship patterns 

  • Learning about and healing from narcissistic abuse and toxic relationships

  • Unlearning enmeshment and co-dependency

  • Making sense of family, friend, and dating relationship dynamics

  • Practicing assertive communication skills and boundary-setting skills

  • Identifying needs and desires within relationships, differentiating these from strategies to meet needs, and finding ways to talk about these things with others

Tending to anxiety and depression

  • Strengthening coping skills and increasing access to your resiliency

  • Taking concrete steps to alleviate distress

  • Finding ways for you to experience more contentment, peace and ease in your day-to-day life.

  • Exploring how to work with high emotional sensitivity as a strength

  • Engaging a gentle, trauma-informed approach to explore root causes.

Healing trauma

  • Processing and healing kinds of trauma, such PTSD and complex PTSD (C-PTSD):

    • Interpersonal (emotional, sexual, physical, psychological abuse and/or neglect)

    • Intergenerational and historical (between generations, communities) 

    • Societal/structural (ableism, racism, transphobia etc.) 

Processing family of origin dynamics

  • Honoring complexity within relationships, such as the role of poverty, violence, trauma, oppression, health concerns, culture, context and histories etc. 

  • Taking a look at the messages we received in childhood and how these messages may still be present for us now in our relationships and/or belief systems

  • Examining how a loved one’s substance use and/or mental health challenges have  impacted you

  • Exploring how you can shift family dynamics to better honor what you want and need

Softening toxic shame, guilt and feelings of inadequacy

  • Exploring how and why feelings of shame, guilt, inadequacy may be holding you back and what you can do about it

  • Developing new skills and practices to identity these parts and work with them in ways that allow you to feel more grounded, peaceful and empowered

"Boundaries are the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously."

— Prentis Hemphill 

Professional Education & Training

 

Education + Credentials

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker in WA (LW61155441)

  • University of Washington | Seattle

    • Master of Social Work (MSW)

    • Concentration: Mental Health

  • University of Colorado | Boulder

    • BA in Gender Studies and Ethnic Studies

    • Certificate: Peace and Conflict Studies

    • Certificate: the study and practice of leadership for social and environmental justice

What to Expect

While tending to our wounds and fears can be beautiful and liberating, it is also often messy and difficult work. There will be moments where we laugh and moments where I encourage you to feel into discomfort. I am committed to being there for you throughout the whole process!

My commitments to you:

  • I will bring ongoing curiosity about my own privilege and biases and how these may be showing up in our therapeutic relationship.

  • I will respect you as the expert of your experience. I am not here to “fix you” or tell you how to live your life.

  • I am here as a witness, a resource, motivator, a support for self-reflection.

  • I will support you in connecting to your wisdom and resiliency. I truly believe that you are your most powerful healer. 

The duration of our time together and how frequently we meet also vary from person to person. Some people come in once a week, and others choose to come in once every other week. Some folks stay in therapy for years, while others may seek more short term care (~3-6 months). We can do our best to imagine what the arc of our work will look like, while leaving some room to be flexible as needed.

Acknowledging Lineage

I have learned, grown and healed in countless ways due to the scholarship, organizing, art and labor of QTBIPOC (queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) feminists and straight, cis and/or white folks who have modeled powerful and much-needed solidarity. I continue to be inspired by the movements for transformative justice, Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ safety, Land Back, #MeToo, Free Palestine and many others.

I am also a visitor on the unceded, occupied land of the Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Suquamish and Duwamish peoples.  It is in gratitude and acknowledgment of this that I pay Real Rent to the Duwamish peoples in support of their rights to sovereignty, and in recognition of them as rightful caretakers and guides of this place.