About Me

I have known since high school that my life course would be to help and support people in need. My volunteer work with The Crisis Clinic of Thurston County was my first introduction to the experience of being there for another human being during a moment of need, and is something I have continued to treasure over the years.  

It is my core belief that every person is a valuable, unique human being fully deserving of support and guidance through their life. As far back as I can remember, I have placed a high importance on the idea of fairness and equality for all human beings. We often can’t control what life hands us, both in life beginnings and experiences, but I derive a great sense of purpose in being there for a person to help restore as much support, empathy, and fairness as I can.

PSYCHIATRIC PRACTICE APPROACH

My goal is to help relieve a person’s suffering and improve their quality of living through an empathetic and humanistic framework. I approach every client with the view of them as a fellow-human being, and I firmly believe that you are the expert of your own life and health care needs. Thus I strive to provide person-centered care, and will work with you to create a treatment approach grounded in your unique values.  I value providing psychiatric care that supports holistic wellness of mind, body, and spirit, and greatly appreciate collaboration with other health care providers to ensure an integrated care approach.

 Medications can often provide a helpful tool in supporting a person’s efforts to heal and to live a meaningful life. Through my experiences, I have witnessed the importance of valuing each person’s expectations and views regarding medication treatment. Therefore, I will always include you in decisions to start or change medications in appreciation of your knowledge and values.  I am a large proponent of patient education regarding the treatment options available so that you can feel confident and knowledgeable regarding your care.

People suffering from emotional distress often find therapy to be a helpful addition to medications. I frequently help people consider whether referral to a psychotherapist may be beneficial to work more comprehensively through their life situations and goals. I personally approach each person with a holistic perspective and consider how different life events and behaviors can impact their mental well being. With every visit, I aim to help people deal more effectively with life situations and gain increased self-confidence using techniques such as brief cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and logotherapy.