I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with 25 years experience. Currently I practice in West Linn , Oregon although I am also licensed in the state of California. As a licensed professional , I participate in continuing education to continue my learning process and stay current in the field. I find it very fulfilling and a privilege to have people open up their lives and hearts to me as they seek out help. All of us have been adversely effected by various circumstances and events in our lives. Therapy helps heal these broken places and also provides an increased understanding of what is happening inside and the ability to communicate that effectively in relationships which leads to more satisfying and fulfilling relationships. I work with individuals and couples age 16 and up with specialized training in trauma work/EMDR and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples and relationship issues. I come from a Christian worldview and have training into incorporating this into the therapy process if the client so desires. I also work with mood disorders (anxiety, depression, panic) and eating disorders. I currently am on Blue Cross/ Blue Shield, Pacific Source and LifeWise insurance panels as a preferred provider, so typically if you are insured by these companies, you only pay your office visit co-payment once your deductible for the year has been met. If you are insured by a different company, check with your insurance company as to what your reimbursement is for outpatient mental health with an out of network provider and I can still submit sessions costs to your insurance company. If you are experiencing difficulties in your current situation, your relationship or marriage or struggling within your own "skin" - how you feel about yourself, or your moods and emotions, I think you will find that sitting down with someone and working these things through will be very beneficial. Please reach out and find help for yourself of your relationship, you won't be sorry!

I am a psychologist with over thirty year’s clinical experience. Over the years I’ve worked with and helped hundreds of individuals and couples through a wide range of difficulties. My style is respectful, interactive and dynamic. I’ve learned that there are a lot ways to help, to heal and to promote personal growth, and that no particular approach fits every person or situation. For example, for individuals with problems arising from recent traumatic events or from childhood trauma or neglect, whose parents may have been inconsistent or worse, I often combine EMDR with cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic strategies. Others seek therapy because of chronic relationship issues, issues of self-worth, or compulsive patterns they know to be self-defeating. In all cases, I use the first few sessions to fully understand the origins of the problem, and together, we develop a plan of action. If you are a couple seeking help, I’d be happy to meet with you for a consultation.

Complex trauma is a relatively newer concept referring to our adaptive development around ongoing or repeating childhood abuse, neglect, or abandonment. It is very common, and because it involves entangled parts and beliefs, healing requires specific approaches that instill a sense of felt safety in the body before processing old traumas. Where most of us develop structures to protect us from the uncomfortable parts of life, in therapy we are developing an ability to meet all parts of self with presence and compassion.

Possibly the deadliest drug available, heroin destroys lives. Because treatment for drug addiction is most effective when specific to your drug of choice, we focus on helping men with addictions to heroin. Men's Heroin Rehab is also a drug addiction resource that helps families understand, assess, and treat loved ones who are suffering from addiction.

Do you know a teenager who is struggling? Do you notice your teen being sad, irritable, or withdrawn? Are you finding it really hard to connect with your adolescent? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you are definitely not alone. Adolescence is a challenging time for both kids and their parents. My counseling services are geared at helping teens cope with the issues such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, sexual abuse, self-harm behaviors, low self-esteem, peer and parent conflicts, and school related concerns. While I spend some time working individually with teens, I make it of high priority to work with the whole family in strengthening family relationships. I come alongside parents to support them in managing their teens' changing moods and drama-filled friendships. Just as much as I am passionate in working with teens, I enjoy working individually with women. There are times when talking to a trusted friend or family member is just not enough. I find it that women come to see a professional counselor when the circumstances in their life affect their relationships, sleep, work, eating habits, and everyday life. I work with women who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationships. Using my skills, empathy, and insight I guide women to live more fulfilling lives at home, work, with friends and with themselves.

At Compass Community Counseling you can count on a judgment free environment to assist individuals, couples and families with counseling services in Vancouver, WA and the Portland-Metro area to make lasting positive changes. We lead our clients to find hope, direction, and healing through emotional renewal, spiritual change and physical growth. We have extensive training and experience working with relationships and how they are imbedded in a person’s patterns of behaviors. We have additional training in Functional Family Therapy, Gottman methods, and Sex Therapy. Every couple has moments when they start to fight more, feel angry, harbor resentment, or even feel withdrawn from their partner. If we are being truly honest we know that relationships are hard and they take a tremendous amount of work. We see our role as a relationship or marriage counselor to sit with you, where you are in the moment and help guide the way in mending the broken pieces of your relationship. Our goal in couples counseling is never about taking sides; it is about helping you each to understand each other better.

Counseling for adults and teens (age 11+). At Star Meadow Counseling, you'll find warm, good-humored mental health therapists that care about helping you on your path toward healing. We'd love to help you overcome anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, an eating disorder, or recover from a traumatic event. Our therapists have specialties in research-proven therapy approaches, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and EMDR. Supervision for licensure is also available for Master's level counselors.

In a comfortable and supportive atmosphere, I offer a highly personalized approach tailored to your needs to help you attain the personal growth you're striving for. I employ several different therapeutic models depending on the type of difficulties you are having. Most of my experience is in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. Each of these types of therapy have been evaluated and proven to be effective for a variety of problems. Research has consistently shown that the most important element in successful therapy is the working relationship between the client and the therapist. Connecting with you and establishing a solid foundation is my first and most important priority. Some of my passions include helping people deal with the impact of past traumas on their present lives, treating depression, working with clients who have trouble finding a sense of direction in their lives, and supporting the LGBTQ community. My clients have found my approach to be warm and non-judgmental; while also being honest and straight-forward. As a therapist, you will most likely find me to be, more than anything, a real person who does her best to connect with you. For fun, I enjoy anything outdoors...camping, fly-fishing, hiking...you name it. I'm also an avid reader and lover of both eating and cooking good food.