About Me

Background

I’m a registered Marriage and Family Therapy Associate, Educator, Facilitator, Researcher, and Licensed Massage Therapist born and raised (mostly) in Portland, Oregon. I am from an ethnically, culturally, spiritually, and racially mixed background, a first-generation graduate student, cisgender, and able-bodied. My work in healthcare began in 2006 as a licensed massage therapist which has kept me dedicated to incorporating somatic awareness into my work in family therapy and I continue to maintain an active massage license in the State of Oregon. My interest in psychology stems from my personal experience navigating complex relationships, healing from past abuse, and continually learning what it means to be human.

I hold a Master’s in Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy from Lewis and Clark College and an additional Master’s Degree in Bioethics and Science Policy from Duke University. I’m currently continuing my research as a Ph.D. candidate in Experimental Psychology and Psychedelic Therapies under Dr. Monnica Williams in her laboratory Culture and Mental Health Disparities at the University of Ottawa. My therapy practice will remain virtual for the foreseeable future to accommodate my research. To learn more details about my educational background and research visit here.

Regardless of whether I am working in my private online clinic, writing, consulting, or conducting research, I aim to bring about beneficial systemic change. When I’m out of the office and the research lab, you can find me cooking, connecting with family and friends, absorbing the outdoors, travel planning, sci-fi nerding, and music collecting.

Approach

I am grounded by eco-informed systems thinking and I incorporate attachment theory, existential-humanistic, somatic, and narrative approaches; this combination places value on relationship and experience as foundational to healing. In the presence of substance use, I am dedicated to the principles of harm reduction, a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use.

My approach involves working together to help you examine how your inner and external relationships may be supporting or inhibiting your present life and future visions. I am dedicated to culturally affirming practice and approach each session with curiosity, warmth, compassion, and respect for your unique lived experience. Our work together will be collaborative and responsive to your care goals.