About Me

I was raised in Oostburg, Wisconsin a small village surrounded by farms and bordered by beautiful Lake Michigan. I attended a private Catholic school for my undergraduate education at Viterbo University studying Psychology and Religious Studies. I then moved to Portland, Oregon where I attended George Fox University for my graduate study of Clinical Psychology. Throughout my training experiences I have had the opportunity to work at a community mental health agency with adults with chronic mental illness; at a rural school district offering consultation with teachers and administrators, and therapy with children, adolescents and their families; and at the George Fox University Health and Counseling Center conducting learning disability assessments, and offering therapy services to traditional and non-traditional students. I recently finished my dissertation which surveyed the public school districts in the state of Oregon to better understand the variability of services offered to families with a child with autism spectrum disorders. I am now completing my doctoral training through the Chicago Area Christian Training Consortium’s internship with the Center for Rural Psychology serving clients at the Heartland Counseling Center.

 

Counseling Style

I have been trained in cognitive behavioral therapies which emphasize the impact of one’s thoughts on emotions and behaviors. I believe that it is helpful with the support of one’s counselor to become more aware of one’s thoughts, emotions and behaviors and to identify patterns that may be leading to distress. I also access helpful tools from various modes of therapy in order to serve clients effectively and efficiently. I am a scholar in that I try to stay informed of current research, and I use that information to guide treatment planning with my clients. I am a teacher in that am also a strong believer in psycho education. Knowledge is Power! I want my clients to better understand their distress, develop tools to manage or cope with their situation, and feel empowered in their ability to address issues in the future.

 

Specialties

I have had great experiences working with families with children with bipolar, autism, and other physical disabilities. I enjoy supporting families as we work towards our goals of behavior management, mood stabilization, and independence with life skills. I have also worked with adults as they deal with past issues, face new life challenges, or are simply having a difficult time in life, at work, or in their relationships. I am hesitant to settle into any specialization since I have enjoyed working with all age ranges and a variety of issues.

I have several areas of interest I have pursued through research, including autism, forgiveness, bereavement, and the long term effects of childhood abuse.

 

Hobbies and Interests

I am energized by outdoor activities. I enjoy biking, running, swimming, kayaking, hiking, camping, and cross-country skiing. I also like to read I do a variety of creative projects. One of my passions is in youth ministry. I have participated in and have been a leader for several mission trips and have really enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of the process when a youth grows closer to God.

 

Favorites 

Foods- Mac & Cheese, ice cream, guacamole
Sports to play – volleyball, soccer
Sports to watch – NASCAR, NFL football
Movies – Wizard of Oz, Something’s Gotta Give, Big Fish
Books – Chronicles of Narnia, The Shack, Anything by Nicholas Sparks
T.V. – Law & Order: Special Victims, Criminal Intent