I received my Master of Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University in 2016 and have a BA in Human Services from Western Washington University.

I hold a professional certification in the Strengthening Families Program, and I am a Certified Behavior Technician with Washington State. I have more than 18 years working with diverse family systems, promoting optimal outcomes for youth.

My experiences in body health, conditioning, and naturopathic approaches have shaped my belief that an integrated mind-body-soul approach is essential in therapy. I offer formal assessments of cognitive, mental and emotional, physical, spiritual/soul, and social functioning. I offer services to empower people to identify goals and to access inner strengths needed to meet both individual and family goals.

My scope of therapeutic practice includes play therapy, behavioral therapy, family therapy, solution focused therapy, mindfulness, sensory integrative therapy, applied behavioral analysis, functional behavioral assessments, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

My focus is working with children, adolescents, and adults and family systems on many issues relating to the mental health, parenting, behavior and social problems, depression, anxiety, stress, anger management, as well as recovery from physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse.

I also specialize in offering assessments, support, and training for youth and families with disabilities.

I have worked with children and adults in a variety of settings over the last 25 years.

I enjoy working with moms and parents of small children, adults who are suffering from depression or anxiety, individuals looking for new coping skills or strategies to improve their overall functioning, and clients who are having a crisis. I use a strengths based perspective with strategies from acceptance and commitment therapy, solution focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness strategies. I aim to empower people to hope, desire, and build confidence that they will obtain fulfillment of goals.

What do you hope for? I think deep down we all hope for similar things; peace, joy, love, excitement, and fulfilling relationships. When we experience depression, anxiety, trauma, stressful life circumstances, parenting challenges or relationship difficulties we can end up feeling hopeless and alone.

My goal as a therapist is to help you rediscover your hopes and dreams, and to make a plan to achieve them! I will do this by providing a safe space to process what has gotten in your way and helping you identify what changes can be made.

I graduated from Hope College in Holland Michigan ready to teach Elementary and Middle School with a Math/Science BA.

I then taught English as a Second Language in Japan. From there I went to Asbury Theological Seminary and received a Master’s in Education. I then was a director of Education and Youth in a private institution.

After the towers in New York were hit in 9/11, I joined the Army as a Chaplain. A major part of my job was providing mental health/counseling services. I worked with depression, anxiety, grief, family issues, work issues as well as trauma.

Then in the process of retiring I earned a Master of Arts from Brandman University in Marriage and Family Therapy. I now have a Family and Marital Therapy Associates license and teaching certificate in the State of Washington. I practice primarily from a Positive Psychology lens believing that often concentrating on our strengths over problems is the most beneficial. Solution Focused Therapy model is my main model.

I also use Play Therapy, which especially helps children within developmentally appropriate ways, Cognitive Processing therapy for trauma, and Narrative Therapy because if people can understand they are the hero of their own story they can learn their own significance and superpowers. I also use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy because beliefs, actions and feelings can work together for change. I believe all people are more than an island and I am committed to being part of a team letting anything that is helpful be part of the process needed for growth.

I work with individual clients of all ages as well as family systems.

I have worked in this field since 1984, starting as a Navy Relief Officer who helped Military Families experiencing economic hardships.

I have 30 years as a Military Spouse who helped my husband with the VA Services’ complexity. I am also well adapted to assisting displaced families and children with the multiple needs for placement, resources, & educational support.

I have training in Trauma Informed Care, University of WA CBT+ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy where I provide a Holistic Approach towards Healing. Educating and assisting Children, Teens and Young Adults during their Neuroscience Awareness in the Brains Pruning of the Neurons.

I assist Individuals & Families who have court requirements within Children & Family Services, Drug Court, Juvenile Detention, Dept of Corrections, Domestic Violence, and End of Life Stages with Hospice.

I received my Master’s of Science in Counseling and Human Services from Post University in 2021 and have a BA in Social Work from the University of Washington.

I hold a professional certification in working with Survivors of Sexual Exploitation. I have more than 18 years of experience working with a diverse group of individuals, promoting optimal outcomes for youth and young adults. I have experience working with youth, young adults, and adults of all ages- both individually and in a variety of family settings.

I have worked in many settings including youth shelters, foster care, group homes, community outreach, CSEC advocacy and support, as well as mental health settings, and juvenile and family court systems.

My approach to therapy is always person centered and trauma informed. I believe in creating a safe space for individuals to feel validated, listened to, and supported. I believe in meeting an individual where they are and using a strength-based approach to utilize different methods, to help each client meet their goals. My scope of practice includes client-centered and trauma-informed approach. I am also trained in CBT, and DPT therapy as well as addressing trauma through a multitude of approaches.

My goal is to support and empower all clients to meet their goals in a safe and nurturing environment.

I received my Bachelor of Science in Sociology with an Emphasis in Social Work from Grand Canyon University in 2020 and my Master of Social Work from Walden University in 2024.

I have had the privilege of working at Alta Vista ILS for over two years in various departments and positions such as Group Lead, Disabilities Coordinator, Specialized Habilitation, Crisis Stabilization, administrative work, Agency-Affiliated Counselor, and MSW intern.

I am now a Licensed Social Work Associate Independent Clinical. I have worked with various clients from children to adults. Currently, I am the Redeeming Harbor Services Coordinator, a program focused on providing behavioral, mental, and emotional therapeutic services for survivors of sexual exploitation, trafficking, and trauma.

Outside of Alta Vista ILS, I have experience as being a Navy Ombudsman, physical health mentor, and youth group leader and associate director.

My approach to therapy is applying person-centered and trauma-informed services ensuring clients are heard, supported, and validated. I also ensure clients feel safe, have their voices heard in their treatment process, and are empowered, valued, and inspired. I provide services to empower clients to identify their goals, strengths, and protective factors. I am trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and use CBT, play therapy, sand tray, art therapy, somatic therapy, and other trauma-focused modalities. My focus is working with adolescents and adults who have experienced sexual trauma, trafficking, and sexual exploitation. I also help adolescents and adults who are dealing with anxiety, depression, ADHD, stress, and other mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders.

I earned my Bachelor and Master’s degrees in educational and clinical psychology from the Universidad de Occidente in Sinaloa, Mexico.

I have worked in counseling since before completing my last degree program in Clinical Psychology in 2005. I operated a private practice while also working for the Mexican Secretariat of Public Education for seven years. I was practicing as Psychologist in Mexico gaining experience for my professional future.

After immigrating to the United States in 2009, I worked for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services until 2016. I have since worked for various mental health agencies in Kitsap, Mason, and Pierce counties. I strive for mental health recovery and improvement of quality of life for the people I serve. Therapy will be a time for you to grow, to acknowledge your feelings, behaviors, and thoughts. During the process, you will know what type of situation you are facing, your rights as a client, getting tools and emotional braveness to overcome your difficult situations. Where you can explore your fears, anxieties, anger, pains, concerns, guiltiness, sadness, you also have the option of changing or improving your patterns or lifestyle, and reducing the stress that impacts your everyday function.

The therapy models I use are CBT, TF-CBT, DBT, Play Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Multicultural Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy.