About me

Our relationships with people, community, culture, and history impact and influence the ways we experience ourselves and one another. My practice is guided by the belief that these experiences, relationships, and stories shape us in fundamental and profound ways, and that exploring these areas in therapy can be an important part of overall health and wellness. When we’re able to increase understanding of emotions, deepen connections to and relationships with self and others, and develop and consider alternatives and possibilities, we’re often less influenced by patterned responses and more able to make choices and decisions that align with our values.

With my commitment to collaborative, affirming, and non-judgmental care, I hope you’ll experience a warm, curious, casual style that encourages you to feel safe in exploring issues that matter most to you – here therapy becomes a nurturing space to locate the stories you’ve developed and carried with you through your life, and discover expanded narratives of who you are, where you’ve been, and what you want to be.

I’ve been supporting people through the challenging and vulnerable times in their lives for more than 20 years – first with a non-profit program for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and now as a therapist. Inspired and informed by those with whom I’ve worked, I am grounded in the belief that where there are experiences of oppression and trauma, there is also intense resistance and resilience, and that part of the power and importance of interpersonal relationships is their potential to support healing and growth in meaningful and radical ways.

Often when we’re struggling with something, we forget how much wisdom we have within ourselves and how many ways there are of knowing – I recognize you as the expert in your life and your lived experiences, and view my role as a collaborator, sitting beside you as you (re)discover what you want and need, reminding you that you don’t have to go it alone. Where some of your struggles may have been internalized, we’ll work to externalize them, and by doing so, lessen the influence they have in your life.

Together we’ll explore the ways you’ve managed thus far, identify areas you’d like to shift or integrate, and locate the support and resources you’ll want with you as you move toward your goals. Using feminist, narrative, anti-racist, sex-positive, body-positive, and identity-affirming approaches, we’ll uncover and understand the narratives that influence your realities and meanings; question limiting, hurtful, or inaccurate messages; and affirm your strength, resilience, and capacity for connection and healing.

Therapy is radical. Come as you are.

Education: 

• Portland State University, School of Social Work, 2017; Master of Social Work, Clinical Concentration

• Lewis & Clark College, 2001; Bachelor of Arts, Psychology

Licensed to practice by the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers

Areas of Focus

• relationships (intimate & interpersonal) - dynamics, patterns, communications

• open, polyamorous, consensually non-monogamous, and other relationship structures

• sex and sexuality

• identity

• navigating life transitions

• self-worth, self-exploration, personal development

• understanding & navigating the longer-term impacts of trauma

• vicarious trauma & the impacts of doing trauma and activist work on intimate relationships

• healing from trauma

• LGBTQIA+ / queer / trans identities & relationships

• communication

• boundaries

• stress management

• grief and loss

• anxiety and worry

• support for those surviving / impacted by oppression - historical, generational, systemic, and current/present-day traumas experienced from racism, classism, heterosexism/homophobia, transphobia/cissexism, sexism, ableism, sizeism, microaggressions, patriarchy, and white supremacy