The Complex Human “About Me”

Turning Pain into Purpose

So much of my learning has come from my personal experiences with grief. It is through my own losses, pain, suffering and transformation that I come to you as a highly educated and well trained therapist. In many ways, I feel like my life has prepared me to be a therapist specializing in grief and loss and supporting end of life decisions. It’s no surprise really that I ended up here.

Intersections

I am a biracial, first generation college student, daughter and granddaughter of a working class background. I raised my children as a solo parent and transitioned from low-income to middle income in my mid-life. As a woman who straddles multiple intersectional identities, I come by this work honestly. My worldviews have been profoundly influenced by my early childhood experiences and my intersectional identities.

Loss and Post Traumatic Growth

I first experienced loss at a very young age with the sudden death of my father when I was six years old. Ultimately this loss changed the course of my life and shaped my identity. Later, when my paternal grandmother died by suicide and I became estranged from my sister, my life and identity were further forged into a deep knowing of living life with grief and loss. Grief has taught me how precious this one beautiful life is and I have learned to deeply value joy, playfulness, introspection, humor, delight and awe. When I am not working, you’ll find me reading, spending time with my children, traveling, paddle boarding, swimming, cycling, listening to podcasts and watching movies & comedy.

The Professional “About Me”

Education

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology (B.A.), specializing in applied anthropology, a Master Degree in Public Health (MPH), specializing in health promotion and behavior and a Master Degree in Social Work (MSW) with a clinical concentration.

Licensure

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Oregon.

Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers #L11640

Professional Experience

For over 13 years, I have worked in public health promotion, program planning and implementation and public mental health. I have worked in a variety of settings with and among diverse communities and individuals. Most recently, I have worked as a psychiatric social worker at Oregon State Hospital, a qualified mental health professional for a county community outreach program, county jail, county WIC program and as a consultant specializing in community health promotion, mental health awareness and suicide prevention in the construction industry.

Across my years of professional experience, I noticed that the majority of my patients and clients came to me with unprocessed grief and shared stories of unintentional harm caused by other professionals and loved ones who invalidated their loss and their unique grief process. This inspired me to specialize in grief and loss counseling.

Primary Modalities and Theoretical Frameworks

  • Narrative Reconstruction

  • Dual Process Model of Coping

  • Six Tasks of Mourning

  • Attachment Theory

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

  • Somatic based mindfulness

Additional Training

  • Certified Advanced Grief Counseling Specialist

  • Treating Complex Trauma with Internal Family Systems

  • Solution Focused Brief Therapy

  • Complex Trauma Certification

  • Prolonged Grief Disorder, Grief Models & Interventions

  • Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Suicide Intervention

  • Going With Grace, Exploring Your Mortality

What does all of this mean?

All of that is to say that I have extensive life and professional experience, education and training that allows me to understand the depth and breadth of the human condition in a holistic way. I am able to see you as the unique individual that you are within the context of broader systems and society. I am able to connect, intuit and bring insight to your counseling sessions. I am able to listen with empathy, validate your pain, identify patterns and work in collaboration with you to develop a treatment plan and goals that will get you to where you want to be.

What is it like to work with me?

My work is highly relational, person centered and integrative. Utilizing individualized approaches, together you and I will identify your therapy goals and I will integrate a variety of evidence informed theories and modalities to support your unique needs.

Transformation is an individual process; it doesn’t have to be a lonely one. I am here to walk alongside you on your journey.