I am a licensed mental health counselor in the State of Washington with ten years of experience in both community mental health and private practice. I have developed competency in a variety of approaches to therapy. At the core of this process involves the professional relationship between the client and therapist. Although I draw upon a variety of specific treatment approaches, I focus on developing and maintaining a quality relationship with those that engage in treatment with me.
The most common approach I take is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). As a Level I Certified TEAM therapist, I utilize a variety of tools to assist the individuals that I work with to identify and replace core negative beliefs that often contribute to feelings of depression, anxiety, and a variety of other negative emotions or maladaptive behaviors. I also use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to assist clients in developing skills to regulate emotions, tolerate distress, improve interpersonal effectiveness, and practice mindfulness. Improving quality of life and building a life worth living are often the outcomes of this approach. In addition, I have begun using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to assist clients in reducing or overcoming the intrusive and obsessive thoughts as well as compulsive behaviors associated with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
As a Combat Veteran and former law enforcement officer, I am familiar with the impact that extremely stressful situations and trauma can have on your life. I understand many of the barriers that may exist in seeking help for veterans and law enforcement, as well as for those without a history of military or law enforcement experience.
