Therapy approach and background
MY BACKGROUND
I am a licensed psychologist in Oregon (#1534) and have been providing clinical and other psychological services for over 27 years. I have both a masters (1989) in Agency Counseling and a doctorate in Counseling Psychology (1995). My work experience includes developing and coordinating an eating disorders program at two different institutions; creating and leading a trauma interpersonal violence response team; chairing a transgender care team and being the Training Director at the University of Oregon Counseling Center. Over the years, I have provided specialty training on disordered eating, health at every size, sexual assault recovery and prevention, relationship abuse from childhood to adulthood, PTSD, psychodrama intervention, and supervision provision to other clinicians.
MY CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Most of my experience has been in working with late adolescents and adults providing individual and couples therapy in university settings or private practice. My clinical work focuses on the treatment of trauma such as interpersonal violence and grief; eating disorders and issues of body size oppression; multiculturalism particularly gender, sexual and ethnic identity; adjustment and relationship concerns; stress and anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and post-traumatic (both acute and chronic). Another focus I have developed is being the therapist's therapist. I am very comfortable providing therapy to therapists likely due to my years as a Training Director and using a therapeutic supervision approach. As therapists we also benefit from support to do the therapeutic work we do professionally.
WHAT THERAPY IS LIKE
Psychotherapy is not easily described. It varies depending on the presenting concerns, style of therapist and personality of client. It is not like a medical doctor visit and instead, calls for a very active effort on your part both during and after session. Therapy can have both benefits and risks. Since therapy often involves discussing unpleasant aspects of your life, you may experience uncomfortable feelings. On the other hand, therapy has also been shown to have benefits including better relationships, insight on how to solve specific problems, increased self-compassion and reduction in feelings of distress.
My therapy approach is integrative using an interpersonal process, (EMDR) eye movement desensitization and re-processing, dialectical behavioral, and experiential approach (gestalt and psychodrama) within an empowerment/multicultural framework. Gestalt and Psychodrama methods include role play, emotional as well as somatic experiences to increase awareness and practice new behaviors. EMDR is eye movement desensitization reprocessing in which bilateral stimulation (i.e., side to side eye movements) is used when accessing traumatic or disturbing experiences, insecure attachment styles, and internal resourcing.
I draw on a biopsychosocial model regarding causation of psychological distress. In sum, I believe that biological (genetic, biochemical), psychological (personality, mood, and trauma), and cultural context (familial, cultural identity and oppression) impacts our psychological well-being. I have found in my practice that people often become stuck in a certain style of dealing with others, themselves, and the world. When exploring how the past impacts the present, in a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship, I help clients increase insight into past patterns and learn more adaptive ways of relating to themselves and to the world. Increasing self-compassion as well as clients' awareness of their needs and emotions facilitates their natural healing process. In addition, psychological information can empower people to take control of their own well-being including behavioral change. Regarding my multicultural approach with focus on cultural identities and oppression, I believe increasing affirmation of identities and having similar cultural community, including elders, as well as a therapy space in which experiences of oppression are believed and validated are important. For those with privileged identities, increasing awareness of privilege and taking steps towards social action can enhance psychological growth.
I am an EMDR therapist. EMDR (eye movement desensitization reprocessing) in which bilateral stimulation (i.e., side to side eye movements) is used when accessing traumatic or disturbing experiences. EMDR helps with healing that is blocked, decreasing flashbacks, and identifying more helpful way of thinking about oneself (for more information go to https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/). I not only completed the 50 hours of basic training for EMDR but then spent two years becoming Certified by the EMDR International Association (Certification granted 6/1/2020).
I also utilize experiential methods that include role play, moment to moment emotional as well as somatic experiences to increase awareness and practice new behaviors. I supplement my main therapy approaches with information about distress tolerance emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness and mindfulness skills. With couples therapy I utilize Emotion Focused Therapy and Communication Skills training.
MY SPECIALTIES
My specialty in working with interpersonal violence/trauma began during my graduate studies when I worked in a clinic for trauma survivors (sexual assault, partner abuse, childhood abuse). I have facilitated many childhood sexual abuse and interpersonal trauma support groups over my career. I utilize an empowerment model that emphasizes understanding societal context and myths about interpersonal victimization and collaborative client centered goal setting. I draw heavily on trauma informed, feminist, multicultural and attachment theory, neurobiology of trauma, and evidenced based approaches such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy). I also integrate psychodrama (role play and exploring different aspects of self) and mindfulness.
I have specialty training in working with eating disorders and body image. I was trained in evidence based approaches including working within a multidisciplinary team (nutritionist, medical provider, group and individual therapy). Therapy approaches found to be most effective in helping clients make progress include interpersonal process, cognitive-behavioral, and dialectical behavioral therapy within the Health At Every Size (HAES) Model. I also use a multicultural approach given our feelings about our bodies are very tied to our identities and experiences of discrimination/marginalization. Clients learn how societal messages and misinformation about health and weight have set them up to have a negative relationship with body and food. Therapy focuses on unrestrained, intuitive eating, moving their bodies joyfully, and viewing their bodies as a positive source of information. If we respect and take care of our bodies first, rather than trying to change our body size and weight, physical and emotional health is more likely to come. The Health at Every Size model is NOT a weight loss model, yet an affirming approach to body size diversity including those with larger sized/FAT bodies.
In working with those who identify as gender non-conforming, non-binary or genderqueer who are experiencing gender dysphoria and are wanting to be assessed as ready for gender congruent hormone treatment or surgical intervention, I utilize the WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) Standards of Care, V7 with an informed consent model. I have been providing support for those who identify as gender non-conforming, including writing support letters, for over 20 years.
I am a licensed psychologist in Oregon (#1534) and have been providing clinical and other psychological services for over 27 years. I have both a masters (1989) in Agency Counseling and a doctorate in Counseling Psychology (1995). My work experience includes developing and coordinating an eating disorders program at two different institutions; creating and leading a trauma interpersonal violence response team; chairing a transgender care team and being the Training Director at the University of Oregon Counseling Center. Over the years, I have provided specialty training on disordered eating, health at every size, sexual assault recovery and prevention, relationship abuse from childhood to adulthood, PTSD, psychodrama intervention, and supervision provision to other clinicians.
MY CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Most of my experience has been in working with late adolescents and adults providing individual and couples therapy in university settings or private practice. My clinical work focuses on the treatment of trauma such as interpersonal violence and grief; eating disorders and issues of body size oppression; multiculturalism particularly gender, sexual and ethnic identity; adjustment and relationship concerns; stress and anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and post-traumatic (both acute and chronic). Another focus I have developed is being the therapist's therapist. I am very comfortable providing therapy to therapists likely due to my years as a Training Director and using a therapeutic supervision approach. As therapists we also benefit from support to do the therapeutic work we do professionally.
WHAT THERAPY IS LIKE
Psychotherapy is not easily described. It varies depending on the presenting concerns, style of therapist and personality of client. It is not like a medical doctor visit and instead, calls for a very active effort on your part both during and after session. Therapy can have both benefits and risks. Since therapy often involves discussing unpleasant aspects of your life, you may experience uncomfortable feelings. On the other hand, therapy has also been shown to have benefits including better relationships, insight on how to solve specific problems, increased self-compassion and reduction in feelings of distress.
My therapy approach is integrative using an interpersonal process, (EMDR) eye movement desensitization and re-processing, dialectical behavioral, and experiential approach (gestalt and psychodrama) within an empowerment/multicultural framework. Gestalt and Psychodrama methods include role play, emotional as well as somatic experiences to increase awareness and practice new behaviors. EMDR is eye movement desensitization reprocessing in which bilateral stimulation (i.e., side to side eye movements) is used when accessing traumatic or disturbing experiences, insecure attachment styles, and internal resourcing.
I draw on a biopsychosocial model regarding causation of psychological distress. In sum, I believe that biological (genetic, biochemical), psychological (personality, mood, and trauma), and cultural context (familial, cultural identity and oppression) impacts our psychological well-being. I have found in my practice that people often become stuck in a certain style of dealing with others, themselves, and the world. When exploring how the past impacts the present, in a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship, I help clients increase insight into past patterns and learn more adaptive ways of relating to themselves and to the world. Increasing self-compassion as well as clients' awareness of their needs and emotions facilitates their natural healing process. In addition, psychological information can empower people to take control of their own well-being including behavioral change. Regarding my multicultural approach with focus on cultural identities and oppression, I believe increasing affirmation of identities and having similar cultural community, including elders, as well as a therapy space in which experiences of oppression are believed and validated are important. For those with privileged identities, increasing awareness of privilege and taking steps towards social action can enhance psychological growth.
I am an EMDR therapist. EMDR (eye movement desensitization reprocessing) in which bilateral stimulation (i.e., side to side eye movements) is used when accessing traumatic or disturbing experiences. EMDR helps with healing that is blocked, decreasing flashbacks, and identifying more helpful way of thinking about oneself (for more information go to https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/). I not only completed the 50 hours of basic training for EMDR but then spent two years becoming Certified by the EMDR International Association (Certification granted 6/1/2020).
I also utilize experiential methods that include role play, moment to moment emotional as well as somatic experiences to increase awareness and practice new behaviors. I supplement my main therapy approaches with information about distress tolerance emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness and mindfulness skills. With couples therapy I utilize Emotion Focused Therapy and Communication Skills training.
MY SPECIALTIES
My specialty in working with interpersonal violence/trauma began during my graduate studies when I worked in a clinic for trauma survivors (sexual assault, partner abuse, childhood abuse). I have facilitated many childhood sexual abuse and interpersonal trauma support groups over my career. I utilize an empowerment model that emphasizes understanding societal context and myths about interpersonal victimization and collaborative client centered goal setting. I draw heavily on trauma informed, feminist, multicultural and attachment theory, neurobiology of trauma, and evidenced based approaches such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy). I also integrate psychodrama (role play and exploring different aspects of self) and mindfulness.
I have specialty training in working with eating disorders and body image. I was trained in evidence based approaches including working within a multidisciplinary team (nutritionist, medical provider, group and individual therapy). Therapy approaches found to be most effective in helping clients make progress include interpersonal process, cognitive-behavioral, and dialectical behavioral therapy within the Health At Every Size (HAES) Model. I also use a multicultural approach given our feelings about our bodies are very tied to our identities and experiences of discrimination/marginalization. Clients learn how societal messages and misinformation about health and weight have set them up to have a negative relationship with body and food. Therapy focuses on unrestrained, intuitive eating, moving their bodies joyfully, and viewing their bodies as a positive source of information. If we respect and take care of our bodies first, rather than trying to change our body size and weight, physical and emotional health is more likely to come. The Health at Every Size model is NOT a weight loss model, yet an affirming approach to body size diversity including those with larger sized/FAT bodies.
In working with those who identify as gender non-conforming, non-binary or genderqueer who are experiencing gender dysphoria and are wanting to be assessed as ready for gender congruent hormone treatment or surgical intervention, I utilize the WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) Standards of Care, V7 with an informed consent model. I have been providing support for those who identify as gender non-conforming, including writing support letters, for over 20 years.
