Welcome
Video therapy transforming lives in Washington State.
As a therapist with over 10 years of experience, I have helped hundreds of adults learn to overcome or manage a variety of mental health problems including: Various forms of anxiety and phobias; trauma; Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), emotional problems including depression and anger; and a variety of behavioral problems. Obstacles such as these can create enormous personal and interpersonal problems that can reduce our quality and satisfaction of life. I use a variety of treatment approaches to target the specific problems presented and work toward overcoming or managing these problems in order to regain or improve one’s mental health and quality of life. Regardless of the particular approach, developing a safe and trusting working relationship is the foundation of effective therapy.
Trauma & PTSD
Although most people will associate trauma and PTSD with Military combat, a variety of other traumatic experiences such as physical or sexual abuse, natural disasters, and horrible vehicle accidents can also lead to ongoing psychological difficulties following a traumatic experience. Trauma is not uncommon in today’s society. In fact, most individuals will experience some form of trauma during their lifetime. The majority of people will experience a period of difficulty following traumatic experiences, but will eventually return to their previous level of functioning. However, for some, these psychological problems persist and can develop into PTSD. If you are experiencing difficulty following a traumatic experience, I encourage you to reach out for help.
Depression & Mood Problems
Experiencing emotions is part of the human experience. Feeling sad or down, fearful or anxious, frustrated or angry are examples of the wide range of emotions we may experience. Typically, emotions like these are temporary and not debilitating. When our emotions are experienced more frequently, intensely, and for longer periods of time, they can lead to difficulties in functioning and emotional misery. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy offers a way to better understand our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors so that we can make the necessary changes to move toward health and recovery. Many clients have moved from being stuck and hopeless to free and engaged with life.
Coping Skills/Skills Training
Difficulty regulating emotions; patterns of interpersonal conflict and difficulty with relationships; difficulty tolerating distress or coping well with stress; difficulty staying focused or being present in the moment; impulsive behaviors; problematic or destructive behaviors. All of these may indicate a skills deficit and a need to develop an understanding and ability to more effectively regulate emotions or use skills to improve functioning and build a life worth living. Dialectical Behavior Therapy offers a framework to analyze and change problematic behavior and responses, and in some instances, to accept the reality of life or our inability to control or change aspects of life.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Intrusive, unwanted, and disturbing thoughts, better known as obsessive thoughts, can create a virtual prison from which there appears to be no escape. Over time, repetitive or ritualized behaviors can emerge in an attempt to bring relief from the distressing thoughts. We can feel compelled to do things in order to experience temporary relief. Unfortunately, this combination of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors leads to further emotional suffering and difficulty breaking free from the chains of this disorder. Exposure and Response Prevention offers an effective treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder where there can be healing and an end to this vicious and debilitating cycle.
