ABOUT ME

Education and training have been a part of my personal and professional growth. I learned at a young age to view the world with an artist's eye. To really see things instead of just looking. I received my BA in Fine Arts. As I grew I began to understand the necessity of self-expression to my own and others' well-being. My desire to better understand human behavior led to graduate school, receiving my MA in Counseling Psychology from Antioch New England Graduate School. While at Antioch, I combined the study of traditional psychology with non-traditional expressive arts therapy, creativity and psycho-spiritual concepts. I happily discovered that psychotherapy is an art and healing, productive therapy sessions come from a healthy relationship between client and therapist.

Living in the beautiful Northwest introduced me to a new way of experiencing the outdoors. Rock climbing, mountaineering, hiking and kayaking were not only a way of recreating, but were sources of personal empowerment. This led to my completion of a 2 year Adventure Based Education certificate program from Seattle Pacific University, where I learned to facilitate outdoor experiences for others, and became a challenge course facilitator. My work on challenge courses was written about in this Seattle P-I article.

For the past 5 years I have been learning and practicing Nonviolent Communication/Compassionate Communication (Marshal Rosenberg) and use this model in my sessions. I also refer to techniques and teachings from Thich Nhat Hahn, Jon Kabat-Zinn, and Andrew Weil for breath, mindfulness and meditation work. I studied hypnotherapy for two years with Jamal Rahman, Enlightened Heart Enlightened Mind Institute. Jamal comes from a family lineage of Sufi teachers and healers. His teachings have also influenced my therapeutic techniques for healing.

For the past 3 years I have been a volunteer at the Monroe Correctional Complex, working with prisoners on issues of addiction and nonviolent communication.

My personal adventures in the outdoors, creating art, and practicing psychotherapy have been the foundation for my spiritual and psychological growth. Learning is a life long process. Art, self expression, committed relationship, dance, mindfulness, meditation, and nature continue to be my teachers.