Stress ManagementI am a licensed mental health counselor in the State of Washington with over nine years of experience providing mental health counseling services in community mental health and private practice settings. I have developed competency in a variety of approaches to therapy.  I work with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues providing services that span from anger management, to trauma counseling and beyond. In a comfortable and supportive atmosphere, I offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each of my clients individual needs to help attain the personal growth they’re striving for.

Treatment specialization includes:

  • Trauma treatment
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Coping Skills and Skills Training
  • Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

Trauma Therapy

As a combat veteran, I am familiar with the negative impact trauma can have on an individual, including the development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Unpleasant dreams or nightmares may interfere with daily functioning or severe anxiety can become paralyzing. I specialize in treating anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, and trauma, including PTSD. Military combat may lead to PTSD as well as a variety of other traumatic experiences such as sexual trauma, natural disasters, vehicle accidents, and so on. In fact, most individuals will experience some form of trauma during their lifetime.

If you are experiencing difficulty following a traumatic event or period in your life, I encourage you to reach out for help. Doing so is often a difficult task; a monumental one for most. It is also the next step in re-gaining control over your life.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

We often take our thoughts and perceptions for granted; as if they are factual.  In reality, our thinking can often lead to emotional suffering and ineffective ways of coping.  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an evidenced based approach that 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.  CBT has been effective for a variety of mood problems including depression, anxiety, and anger.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy offers a framework to analyze and change problematic behavior and responses.  It is a skills based treatment which helps you to learn to regulate your emotions; tolerate distress; improve interpersonal interactions; and practice mindfulness.  Although life contains painful situations and events, it can be worth living and you can even learn to reduce suffering amidst the pain.  You can also work at building the life you want to live despite the struggles you may be facing.  DBT requires a commitment to learning and applying skills and concepts to both change behaviors and to accept what can not be changed.

Coping Skills & Skills Training

If “talk therapy” or treatment as usual is not for you, then perhaps digging deep and exploring skills deficits in order to learn and develop an ability to effectively cope with stress or become more effective in meeting your goals is what you are looking for.  Certainly, the ability to communicate your experiences, thoughts and emotions is a necessary part of treatment.  Nonetheless, learning skills to cope well with stress and to more effectively achieve your goals takes willingness, effort, and time.  Through an individualized approach, we will identify deficits and use principles and tools from a variety of treatment approaches to help you achieve your goals.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

Exposure and Response Prevention is an effective treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.  Although seeking treatment for OCD is most often difficult and delayed, entering into an effective treatment approach offers the greatest likelihood of learning to manage the intrusive thoughts and behaviors that one feels compelled to engage in.  You can learn to tolerate the distress of obsessive thoughts while decreasing the compulsion to engage in behaviors aimed at reducing the distress.  There can be healing and an end to the vicious and debilitating cycle of OCD.