“The mind knows a riddle that only the hands can solve” Carl Jung
About Me
I received my Bachelors degree in Psychology in 1989 at Portland State University, followed by a Masters in Social Work in 1997.
In my early career, I worked with children, adolescents and their families in Community mental health and residential settings. These experiences brought me a wealth of understanding in working with adopted children, foster care, childhood trauma, divorced/blended families, behavior struggles/learning challenges in school, mood regulation issues and grief/loss.
A colleague introduced me to play therapy using a small sand box and collection of miniature ……..
I have completed extensive training in Jungian Sandplay, dream analysis. As an artist, I have continued to hone my skills using the expressive arts (ceramic sculpture, painting, multi-media collage, wood carving, music) with clients of all ages.
Although I pull from a wide range of Jungian based theories, I also incorporate many disciplines into my work with clients.
Breitenbush Hot Springs
Services
I work with individuals, families and couples. This encompasses children, adolescents and adults.
I specialize in the following areas:
Learning disabilities, ADHD, Traumatic Brain Injuries and Autism Spectrum Disorders/neuro-divergent thinkers and processors.
LGBTQ community, which includes working with children and adolescents questioning their gender.
Spiritual challenges, finding ones path and seeking higher sense of purpose
Highly Sensitive Persons looking for ways to cope in the modern world
Grief and Loss
Relationship concerns
Blended/divorced family issues and alternate family structures
Creativity coaching for creatives/artists who wish to dive deeper into their creative well.
I have a warm, engaging, relational style. I approach counseling as a collaborative relationship between client and therapist, where personal growth occurs within the context of already existing strengths. In my practice, I provide a safe, respectful environment for you to increase your self-awareness, maintain deeper connections with others and find more balance in your daily life. Healing is the process of becoming whole, where more of our true self is brought into the light. What is in the light is now available for our conscious awareness. Awareness IS the work!
I use mindfulness, thoughtful exploration, art, Jungian Sandplay therapy and creative problem-solving to assist clients in the counseling process. I also can give practical homework assignments to support your goals in therapy.
Sandplay therapy is not just for children! Children happen to be more comfortable with play as they are less defended; therefore, they can tap more readily into their creativity. Sandplay is a powerful modality to access parts of ourselves that are ready to emerge in the midst of talk therapy. Sandplay accesses the unconscious through the hands, the body. Nothing can surface while creating in the sand that we are not ready to see. Working with the sand can be a truly spiritual, transformational experience. How can I be sure of the healing power of Sandplay? I have made many trays myself, which is required to become a Jungian Sandplay practitioner. The number of trays you create is not important. Your willingness to make a few throughout the therapy process can have a great impact on your journey to becoming more whole.
I am located at:
1962 NW Kearney Street #L103
Portland, OR 97209
503-998-7030
*There is free off street parking lot next to my building !