She/hers
Our habits and patterns can be the backseat drivers of our lives. Moving through change can feel daunting and overwhelming, especially when we go it alone. Our inner critic tells us that we’re not doing it the right way, or maybe that we can’t do it at all. That desire towards perfection pulls us away from our authentically flawed selves, who both get to make mistakes and learn from them–how beautiful!
My therapeutic approach centers on cultivating clarity and self-compassion amidst the chaos of this imperfect world.
In our sessions, we may check in with the body as a guide for deepening understanding of emotions, strengthening the mind-body connection, and building more trust with your intuition.
Through authentic curiosity, compassion, and thought-provoking questions, we will collaborate to foster clarity in support of making grounded, values-based decisions for yourself.
I also believe that therapy works best when explored through a systems lens: while therapy helps us cope and heal, we’re still impacted by larger oppressive structures like capitalism and racism that individual therapy will not cure. Just acknowledging this–-and our therapeutic goals-–is a key start.
Who I work with
I work with adults and teens moving through challenges such as divorce, suicidal ideation, self-harm, abuse, anxiety, depression, rage, gender-based violence, grief, neurodivergence, loss, trauma, PTSD, and crisis. I’m also comfortable discussing the joys and challenges of sensuality and sexuality with individuals as well as partnered people.
Some of the issues I work with include:
- Stigmatization of the sex trades
- Anxiety and Panic
- Trauma and PTSD
- Suicidal ideation
- Co-dependency
- Difficulty with self-compassion and boundary setting
- Grief and loss
- Coming out/internalized oppression
- Dysfunctional relationship patterns
- Gender-based violence
- Life transitions
- Issues or transitions with sex and sexuality
I have experience serving adults and teens who identify as:
- Sex workers and/or people with lived experience in the sex trades
- LGBTQIAS2+
- BIPOC
- Neurodivergent
- Non-monogamous and polyamorous
How I work
I use several modalities, techniques, and interventions including:
- Narrative Therapy
- Parts Work
- Mindfulness-Based Approaches
- Systems Theory
- Attachment Theory
- Body-Centered Psychotherapy
My background
My teenage years were some of my most challenging. After earning my Bachelor’s in Youth Identity Development at the University of Oregon, I set out to support teens as a skills trainer and mentor.
After years of overextending myself between my teen clients and my work as a preschool teacher at a residential treatment center, I returned to the creative and fulfilling world of dance. I spent many years as an entertainer and dance instructor, collaborating and organizing with the Portland sex trades community before pursuing my Master of Social Work program at Portland State University. As a student advocate at Portland Community College, I supported student survivors of gender-based and intimate partner violence.
My familiarity with the global sex trades community both helped inform and hone my skills as a clinician. I am a passionate advocate for respectful and dignified clinical care for individuals from historically pathologized and marginalized groups.
Are we a fit?
Please contact me for a free telephone consultation. Call 503-308-9080 or:
