Welcome to my page!
I am a licensed marriage and family therapy (LMFT), a certified Discernment Counselor, and certified medical family therapist (MedFT). I specialize in individual and couple therapy -- both general and medically-related, Discernment Counseling for couples on the brink of divorce, and relationship coaching. I maintain a private practice in Seattle, WA affiliated with the internationally renowned Chicago Center for Family Health.
I came to this field after watching myself and people I love struggle to overcome problems in isolation, or with professionals who did not have the specialized training that was needed to successfully treat families, couples, or individuals and their families who live with trauma, relationship challenges, or chronic illness. I have over 15 years experience as a psychotherapist and have closely trained with some of the masters of my field in the areas of couples and families, collaborative medicine, premarital counseling, and the treatment of trauma. Over this period, I have worked with people of a variety of cultures (including African-American, Latinx, East and South Asian, Pacific Islander, African, and Middle Eastern), and I have experience working with LBGT individuals and couples. I am trained to treat many different problems, but I have special expertise in depression, anxiety, trauma, and relational problems. I have also worked with individuals and families with a variety of illnesses, including chronic pain, diabetes, cancer, pulmonary diseases, cardiovascular diseases, genetic disorders, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and neurological issues.
I am also one of the few practitioners in Washington who is trained and certified in Discernment Counseling, a new approach for couples on the brink of divorce. Discernment Counseling gives an a specially designed alternative to traditional marriage therapy for a couple where one or both are considering permanently ending the relationship. At a time when a couple might be considering breaking up, it helps them to gain clarity and confidence in the relationship path while understanding in greater depth how they got to this point. (For more information, please see my page Discernment Counseling: For Couples on the Brink. )
Real Quotes from Former Clients
What's Therapy Like with Me?
We are primarily social beings. I believe that we can be hurt in relationship with others, but we can also be healed in relationship with others. If I am working with an individual, I may invite them to bring a family member, loved one, or close friend with them to therapy; the more support and understanding you have around you, the faster you can heal. If I am working with a couple or a family, I do not take sides : I consider the relationship my real client. I do my best to treat everyone with respect and compassion, no matter what their problems may be.
My Ice Cream Speech
Therapists are like ice cream flavors. I may be a perfectly wonderful basil raspberry (yes, that is a real flavor, and I love it), but you might be a double chocolate kind of person. It happens. If things don't "click" after a few sessions, please let me know. If we can't fix it, I'll find a couple of possible double chocolate therapist referrals for you. And I promise that it won't hurt my feelings.
Teaching
In addition to my psychotherapy practice, I have taught graduate psychology, marriage and family therapy, medical family therapy, and counseling students at the University of Minnesota, Northwestern University, Seattle Pacific University, St. Mary's University, Antioch University, the Adler School of Professional Psychology, and through the Chicago Center for Family Health. I have also taught Family Medicine physicians at the University of Washington, the University of Minnesota, the University of Chicago, and Illinois Masonic Medical Center. My special joy was teaching undergraduates in a course entitled Intimate Relationships at the University of Minnesota, and I hope to teach that course again whenever I have the opportunity.
Presentations
I have presented at national medical and psychotherapy conferences annually since 2004 on such subjects as collaborative healthcare treatment of depression & diabetes, families & chronic kidney disease, the challenges of working with refugee populations, and the special issues of individuals & families with chronic pain. I have also presented to general audiences on couple communication, relationship skill building, and managing conflict.
Education
PhD in Couple and Family Therapy, University of Minnesota (2016)
MS in Marriage & Family Therapy, Seattle Pacific University (2004)
Certificate in Medical Family Therapy, Seattle Pacific University (2004)
Professional Activities and Memberships

American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy
Member since 2001
Chicago Center for Family Health
Faculty Member 2012-2015, Affiliate since 2015