On the “professional” side of things, I have a Masters of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. I have worked in the mental health field since the mid-1990s in several settings and have been licensed as a professional counselor for over 15 years. As mentioned on the homepage, my therapeutic focus is working with women.
AND…
I also think it is important for women to know if they may truly be able to connect with their therapist. With that awareness, I realize my personal experiences may hold similar weight to those of my professional accomplishments.
As a woman of middle age, I have had my share of challenges, many of which have occurred within this last decade. I reveal a few of them below as I believe they too are valuable as you consider your next step in seeking therapy.
I know what it is like:
~ To be a daughter, a student, a wife, a mother, a foster mother, a dog mom, a single woman, a working woman, an employee, a business owner…
~ To consider how unrealistic the idea of “balance” really seems…
~ To experience so many losses in the matter of less than a year’s time…
~ To support my children through their version of our shared pain while also taking care of myself…
~ To let go of relationships in the name of healthy boundaries…
AND…
~ To realize one of the greatest gifts in life may be the bond shared with an animal companion.
~ To discover a strength within me that was born from all of these “challenges, losses, and pains” and to hold a crazy amount of respect for it…
~ To rebuild a life that is lovely, precious, blessed, and flawed…and mine…
~ To feel so incredibly happy my heart might burst…
~ To be steadfast in my hope about the present and future…
With all of this and more, I create space for the women I counsel.
I believe you too can CREATE A LIFE YOU LOVE.
