Insight Focused, Person-Centered, Solution-Oriented and Compassion Driven:  After over 30 years in practice, I understand the importance of providing a safe and supportive environment to help you explore the deepest parts of yourself with compassion, curiosity, and self-acceptance.  I bring my whole self to my practice as a therapist, being fully engaged and present in your process. I understand that you are bringing your history, struggles, strengths and hopes. Together in a warm, collaborative and nonjudgmental way, we will work to connect the puzzle pieces of your story in a way that creates new understanding, healing, and growth.

I grew up on Long Island, New York, and received my undergraduate degree from SUNY at Stonybrook in 1986. I moved to Chicago for graduate school where I earned both my Masters and Doctoral Degree in Psychology at University of Illinois in 1990.  While Chicago holds a very special place in my heart, I accepted an internship at the VA Hospital in Portland, Oregon.  I always knew that I wanted to work in private practice, and was fortunate enough to be able to complete my residency requirements within this setting. I recently completed an ICF Accredited Coach Training Program with Presence Based Coaching in 2021-2022.

Outside of work I share my life with my fun-loving spouse, 4 wonderful kids, 4 very rambunctious dogs of varying sizes, and 2 new rescue kittens. We love our big multicultural, multiracial family. My own interests include daily morning yoga and meditation practice, long walks with our kids and dogs, hiking, baking, and gardening. I am a voracious reader and the occasional quilter. I love exploring the Pacific Northwest with my family.

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” – Annie Dillard