About Me

Philosophy and Approach

I believe that all humans have the right and ability to reach their fullest potential and embrace wellbeing. To remove blocks to wellbeing, I practice an integrated approach to counseling. I incorporate cognitive therapy, psychodynamic theories, and existential therapy from a humanistic base. Practicing from a humanistic base maintains a client-centered focus, allowing clients to determine their own goals and be experts on their own lives. My philosophy also incorporates themes of liberation, feminism, and client wholeness. Clients are encouraged to explore their relationship with these themes on an interpersonal and intrapersonal level.

Human development and change is most often done in relation with others. In counseling, I utilize our relationship as a representation of your interactions with the people in your life. Change can be practiced real-time in the counseling room and then enacted in your life outside the counseling room.

I use she/her pronouns and identify as a White, straight, cis-woman. I am currently able-bodied. I am a Pacific Northwest local and love this region for its trees, water, birds, and swimming season. I enjoy biking, hiking, camping and backpacking, birding, drinking coffee in the sun, reading novels, and cuddling/harassing my cat.

Areas of clinical interest:

  • grief and anxiety due to climate change

  • coping with death (of self and others)

  • general grief

  • general anxiety

  • trauma & PTSD

  • identity issues (including queer & gender identity questions)

  • relationship concerns

  • life transitions

  • self-compassion

  • attachment concerns

  • substance use

  • mood disorders

Social Justice Statement

All people exist within frameworks of colonialism, oppression, and privilege. Many of us have privilege in some of our identities while being marginalized in others, and not all marginalized identities are visible. As a counselor, I will approach our work with openness and curiosity about your unique identities. You can expect me to be willing to learn about you, without asking you to teach me. I will be interested in how privilege and oppression are contributing to your concerns, and how our identities interact in the counseling space. As a feminist, I am interested in dismantling and redistributing the power between us.

My grounding in existential humanism is linked to my beliefs about social justice and equity. Existential therapies allow all humans to see themselves as individuals with personal agency and choice, even within oppressive systems.

Outside the therapy room, I challenge myself to embody the stance of lifelong learner. Understanding my own social location is an ongoing process as I develop and as our society shifts and changes.

Education and Background

I am currently a Registered Associate in the state of Oregon. I graduated from Portland State University in 2023 with a Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. My coursework included core classes in areas such as human growth and development, counseling theories, diagnosis and treatment planning, counseling ethics, and family systems. My undergraduate degree is from the Evergreen State College, where I studied sustainable food systems.

I completed my clinical internship at Central City Concern, Blackburn Center where I saw clients who had often experienced homelessness and substance misuse. I also practiced at the PSU Community Counseling Clinic, a low-barrier community clinic where clients have the opportunity to pay sliding scale prices to work with counseling students.

Please see my professional disclosure statement for more about my credentials, training, and approach.

My clinical supervisors are Rhoberta Michaels LPC, NCC, and Natasha Laumei LPC. Please see their respective websites (peaceandlightpsychotherapy.com & laumeicounseling.com) for information about their experience and therapeutic approaches.