Education

I started my journey as a licensed clinical psychologist by majoring in Russian language and linguistics at Boston University. It was through studying the complexities of syntax and semantics that I first became interested in the intricacies of the mind. 

After completing a master’s degree in applied psychology at Boston University, the next step was working as the Director of Independent Living Skills for young women living in a group home.  This experience led me to Nebraska where I earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.  My dissertation was related to the impact of social anxiety on the individual’s experiences with medical care; results showed that debilitating worry about how one is perceived does indeed make getting good medical care more difficult. I then completed a post-doctoral fellowship in substance abuse treatment and education at the Center for Excellence at the Seattle V.A.

Professional Experience

After graduating with my Ph. D., I worked as an investigator on small business innovative research grants related to the use of technology in psychological treatment.  While this was fascinating work that was ultimately useful to clients when a product was produced, I missed the direct contact of helping clients overcome hurdles in real-time. Therefore, I began private practice in 2004.

In addition to currently practicing, I am also an instructor at the University of Washington where I supervise clinical psychology students who are seeing their first clients. I am also a member of the Swedish Medical Staff and the Board of Psychology Examiners for the Washington State Department of Health. The primary function of the Board is to regulate the practice of psychology for the protection of the public; this includes ensuring competency for licensure and ethical practice.

Philosophy

My clients truly are the experts on themselves, and this knowledge, combined with my expertise and training, makes a powerful team. I was primarily trained in cognitive behavioral therapy. While this is a solid approach to treatment, incorporating other approaches is often useful. My current approach incorporates aspects of various therapeutic styles with a focus on thoughts, feeling, behaviors, and readiness to change. Together we undertake the journey, as if walking next to each other along a path. My job is to help you make this journey a more fulfilling one.