Licensure:
Psychologist License #: PY1531
– Washington State Department of Health
Professional Organizations:
The Gottman Institute
– Certified Gottman Therapist, 2000
American Psychological Association: Member
Washington State Psychological Association: Past Member
Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® Practitioner (“FDN-P”)
Certified Metabolic Typing® Advisor (“CMTA”)
Education:
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, 1988
– California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles
Masters of Arts, Clinical Psychology, 1985
– California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, 1982
– Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
An Inspired career in Therapy
Many forces have come together to inspire the passion I feel for helping people become the healthiest, most vibrant versions of themselves, whether within their relationship, or within themselves in their emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing.
A thread that has woven itself through my life and my career as a psychologist is found at the pinnacle of Abraham Maslow’s famous hierarchy of needs: Self-Actualization. This concept has attracted me since the moment I first learned about it, and drew me into the field of psychology. I have devoted my career as a psychologist to helping people attain that Self-Actualization as individuals, and within their relationships.
All the tools I have found most powerful have been those that help my clients achieve that actualization most effectively. The longer I have been in practice, the more I have found that each facet of a person’s life must be attended to in order to actualize the whole, and I’ve used the best proven, targeted methods of helping clients change and grow where they need to most. I often use the phrase “the shortest distance between two points” – let’s work together with clarity to achieve your goals, so you can realize the life and the relationship you deeply desire.
With couples the most powerful tools I have learned are from the work of Dr. John and Julie Gottman, and the Gottman Institute. I joined the Gottman Institute with the first group of therapists trained in an ongoing small working group for a few years beginning in 1999, and was Certified as soon as that process was formalized, in 2000. I also blend in other techniques and methods as appropriate, including from the work of Hedi and Yumi Schleiffer, Sue Johnson’s Emotionally Focused Therapy, other thought leaders in the couples therapy field, as well as inspiration drawn from a lifetime of couples work.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a backbone of my therapy with individual clients. The simplicity and clarity is useful across situations, on its own and when blended with other work. I help my clients meet their goals with the best tools available, and am always present and compassionate.