 |
|
My Training and Approach to Therapy
You will not grow if you sit in a beautiful flower garden, but you will grow if you are sick, if you
are in pain, if you experience losses, and if you do not put your head in the sand, but take the pain and learn to accept
it, not as a curse or a punishment but as a gift to you with very, very specific purpose.
--Elisabeth Kübler-Ross My educational background includes a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology with a Specialization
in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, a master's degree (M.A.) in Psychology from Seattle University, and
a bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from the University of Washington. I am a licensed clinical psychologist. This
means that I am licensed by the State of Washington, have completed over 3,000 hours of supervised patient contact and have
passed examinations given by the Washington State Examining Board of Psychology. I am a member of the American Psychological
Association (APA), Washington State Psychological Association, the American Academy of Bereavement, and the Seattle
Counseling Association. I ascribe and adhere to the Code of Ethics of the American Psychological Association. I must also
answer to the ethical and professional standards of the Washington State Omnibus Credentialing Act for Psychologists and
the Uniform Disciplinary Act for the Regulation of Health Professions.
My style of practice is affirming and gentle, encouraging and positive. I challenge my clients in these ways, according to the needs and goals that you and I have discussed. My therapeutic orientation is based upon humanistic, or client-centered approaches, and Jungian, psychodynamic concepts. I have been trained in and exposed to several other orientations within this framework, including cognitive-behavioral (identifying and changing thoughts and assumptions that influence moods and behavior), and expressive (moving into feeling states that reconnect with your inner resources, and express yourself, including imagining and relaxation). “Talk therapy” helps a person to validate, express, and connect to themselves and others. We will be taking this journey together. My role is to educate and support you during this journey. I see you as one who sets the course for your own life and as the one responsible for the decisions and life changes that you make. Each course of treatment is unique to those who participate in it, and thus your therapy will be a blend of what you and I do together. I am responsible for developing and implementing a course of treatment that will most effectively deal with your issues. You are responsible for your decisions and for changing. People and situations are complex; I cannot guarantee that specific changes will occur as a result of our counseling together. Together, we will decide what course of therapy will work best for you. I am particularly skilled in working with those who are experiencing depression and/or mood swings, those who are struggling with existential (life and death) or spiritual issues, chronic disabilities or illnesses, and end-of-life issues. I have had extensive experience and training in the psychosocial concerns in cancer care, including bone marrow and other organ transplant treatments. I work with patients and/or their family systems to help cope with the difficulties and challenges of living with a life threatening illness. My areas of expertise include issues of grief, loss, death and dying. These issues are not only in regard to physical losses, but are major components of mental and emotional well-being as well. Many facets of life involve unresolved issues surrounding loss of relationships, jobs, or sense of purpose and meaning in life. Depression and anxiety, as well as physical pain, are often tied to the experience of these and other losses. Anyone who is suffering from a sense of loss, emptiness, confusion, pain, or feeling “stuck” in their experiences of themselves or with others, is welcome in my practice. Today really is the first day of the rest of your life. It would be my privilege to work with and accompany you on your quest for health and happiness. |
