Approach & Areas of Specialty
As a licensed therapist, I practice a form of Person-Centered, Humanistic Therapy. This means that I believe every person has the capacity for healing and can access their inner wisdom to meaningfully respond to the difficulties in life. My work is to help each client clarify and make sense of the guidance coming from their "authentic self."
My philosophy is based on the existentialist idea that much of suffering stems from the very nature of existence; what it means to be human in this precarious life. A lot of my work, therefore, is focused on the "here and now" and in being fully present and in relationship, with the environment, with others and with oneself. I also utilize the techniques of Gestalt Therapy (empty chair work and role-playing), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness and Psychodynamic Therapy (Object Relations). I’ve completed level one of the Gottman couples training, I’m a certified yoga teacher and I’ve done much coursework in Spiritual Psychology at the University of Santa Monica (USM).
In my sessions, clients have the opportunity to experience self-reflection and therapist feedback. Clients learn the practices of self-compassion, and self-forgiveness. I collaborate with clients on setting realistic personal goals while we work together to explore creative and effective ways of realizing these goals.
As a licensed therapist, I practice a form of Person-Centered, Humanistic Therapy. This means that I believe every person has the capacity for healing and can access their inner wisdom to meaningfully respond to the difficulties in life. My work is to help each client clarify and make sense of the guidance coming from their "authentic self."
My philosophy is based on the existentialist idea that much of suffering stems from the very nature of existence; what it means to be human in this precarious life. A lot of my work, therefore, is focused on the "here and now" and in being fully present and in relationship, with the environment, with others and with oneself. I also utilize the techniques of Gestalt Therapy (empty chair work and role-playing), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness and Psychodynamic Therapy (Object Relations). I’ve completed level one of the Gottman couples training, I’m a certified yoga teacher and I’ve done much coursework in Spiritual Psychology at the University of Santa Monica (USM).
In my sessions, clients have the opportunity to experience self-reflection and therapist feedback. Clients learn the practices of self-compassion, and self-forgiveness. I collaborate with clients on setting realistic personal goals while we work together to explore creative and effective ways of realizing these goals.
Eating Disorders
As a woman who has been recovered from an Eating Disorder for over 25 years, I have a particular empathy for those engaged in this struggle. My approach is one of compassion, non-judgment and loving-kindness. I began facilitating ANAD (Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders) groups in 1999 and, after receiving my Master's Degree in counseling, I worked for Rader Programs at Pacific Shores Hospital in Oxnard, CA, an inpatient facility for people with highly acute Eating Disorders. I spent 4 years at Rader and I was the lead supervising therapist in my fourth year.
I also worked as a primary therapist at Pathways, an intensive outpatient program in Thousand Oaks, CA and at the Eating Disorder Center of California, a partial hospital program in Brentwood, CA. In July of 2008 I completed my position as a primary therapist at RainRock, a local Eugene/Springfield residential treatment facility for women with eating disorders.
I have been solely in private practice since this time.
I have presented papers on Eating Disorders and I have taught classes on E.D. prevention and treatment at the elementary, junior high school and college levels. I have also written a play about E.D. prevention for elementary school-aged children.
I love the work that I do, and I am well aware of the high recidivism and low success rates of currently employed treatments. In addition to using traditional methods, I am committed to expanding my therapeutic options. I am particularly interested in exploring the spiritual/soul-oriented approaches to eating disorder treatment and recovery.
Eli
I share my practice with my therapy dog, Eli. He is an exuberant and sensitive Labrador Retriever. Most all of my clients find comfort in Eli’s warm and loving presence. In addition to his constant companionship, Eli is a good reminder of what it is to be fully present in the “here and now”. He is a gentle, sweet and most welcoming host.
