Director
Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology / M.S.W. in Clinical Social Work

AAMFT Approved Supervisor

State of Washington Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

State of Washington Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

Diplomate standing awarded in: Adlerian Psychology (NASAP), Professional Psychotherapy (IABMCP), and Clinical Social Work (NASW)

"I approach counseling as a collaborative partnership.  As we work together to understand the issues and concerns, I seek to help clients tap into their wisdom, creativity, and strengths to meet their current challenges.  I bring a holistic and systems perspective whereby clients can better understand themselves in the context of their family histories and current relationships.  By helping clients understand the origins of their beliefs, feelings, and behavior patterns that so often are not in conscious awareness, clients are able to achieve greater self-acceptance and strengthen their ability to make relevant, positive, and lasting life improvements.  I have learned that many maladaptive patterns of behavior originate in unresolved trauma.  I have special training in 'Reprocessing Therapies' which provide clients rapid and permanent healing from confusing, discouraging, or traumatic life events."

Assistant Director

M.S., Seattle Pacific University, Marriage & Family Therapy
B.A., Westmont College, Sociology

State of Washington Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

"I believe we are all created to be in relationships with others, yet we often discover how challenging relationships can be.  I desire to provide a safe environment for you to explore these challenges and identify ways to move differently.  My work with clients involves a biopsychosocial-spiritual approach within a systemic framework.  In my work, I seek to be respectful of and sensitive to your developmental needs and therapeutic goals.  I recognize that counseling can be intimidating, which is why I look forward to walking through the process with you.  I am also aware of how challenging and wonderful college can be, so I desire to be a support to you as you navigate your college experience at SPU."

Therapist
M.A., Antioch University, Psychology, Child, Couple and Family Therapy

M.Div., Princeton Theological Seminary
B.A., University of Washington, Psychology

State of Washington Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

"My work in the field of counseling psychology began with a specialization in couple and family sytems therapy.  My philosophy towards helping people achieve perceived change is client-centered and built upon collaboration, cooperation, and a deep respect for the client's own resources and abilities to arrive at solutions to problems and challenges.  Acknowledging the uniqueness of each individual, I combine a variety of approaches to assist clients as they work to reach their own personal growth goals.  Personal growth goals are those ongoing and evolving goals which the client chooses to pursue in addressing a perceived problem or issue which they are facing."

Therapist                                                                                                        M.A., Eastern University, Community and Clinical Counseling                                B.A., Seattle Pacific University, Psychology and Sociology 

State of Washington Licensed Mental Health Counselor                    

"My formal education and approach as a counselor has largely centered on Cognitive Behavioral and Psychodynamic theoretical frameworks, though I am always seeking to grow and integrate other approaches when beneficial. You can expect that I will work collaboratively with you in the counseling process. As we discuss what brings you to seek help through counseling, and your goals for counseling, I hope that you will freely share the thoughts, feelings and behaviors which are concerning you. During our counseling sessions, we will explore together connections that may exist between these areas of your functioning both currently and in the related past. I will ask some prompting questions, listen actively, as well as give feedback about my observations. Through this supportive process, my goal is that you will become more aware of what informs your thoughts, feelings and behaviors, and that deeper understanding and insights about yourself will lead to ways to address challenges that you face."

Individual, Couple and Family Therapist, Office Assistant

M.S., Seattle Pacific University, Marriage and Family Therapy

B.S., Colorado State University, Psychology

State of Washington Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

“My training is in systems theory which focuses on how important relationships impact us and form us. Through our conversations, I hope to collaborate with clients to help them gain insight into the way their thoughts, feelings, past experiences and important relationships impact their presenting issue. I also use concepts from Gottman Therapy and Emotions Focused Therapy when I work with couples. These are two of the most scientifically validated couples therapy techniques.

In addition to providing therapy for students, I also enjoy serving students as an office assistant in the Student Counseling Center. I am very privileged to be able to serve students in both capacities and to be part of such an amazing team of therapists and staff." 

Therapist
M.A., Mars Hill Graduate School, Counseling Psychology
B.S., Miami University, Social Work

"My passion for therapy stems from the belief that everyone needs a place to safely explore who they are. My hope is that my clients will experience a therapeutic relationship that offers a space to explore what it means to relate more fully to themselves and to their world. More specifically, I have a strong interest in working with those clients who are exploring food and body issues. I believe that just like many other relationships in our lives, we deserve to feel a freedom in relating to food and to our bodies. My passion is to help people discover how that freedom can be possible."

Therapist
M.A., Antioch University, Psychology, Mental Health Counseling

B.A., University of Washington, Communication

"I believe that all individuals are striving to live happy and healthy lives, and as a therapist my goal is to support, encourage, empower, and challenge individuals to create the change that is desired in their lives. My hope is that therapy will provide a safe space that allows for exploration facilitated by collaboration and cooperation between therapist and client."

Dietitian
B.S., Seattle Pacific University, Food and Nutritional Sciences

"I appreciate the opportunity to come alongside students through their personal struggles with food and health. It is my goal to work within an individual's comfort level to provide nutrition guidance and information. Every step taken, no matter how big or small, can have a lasting and meaningful impact on a person's health. My over arching philosophy in nutrition counseling is based on the Intuitive Eating principles and a non-diet approach. My role as a dietician is to help my clients understand what their bodies need and how they can provide it. By helping clients learn to listen to and trust their body for cues of hunger and satiety, they can develope a healthful, safe, and enjoyable relationship with food."

Marriage & Family Therapy Intern
M.S. (in progress), Seattle Pacific University, Marriage & Family Therapy

B.A., University of Washington, Psychology

"As a counseling intern, it is my goal to be present with you; to hear what you think and feel while helping you meet your goals in a therapeutic setting. Rather than tell you how to behave, I will guide you towards finding your own answers and assist in creating the story you want your life to fulfill. From a family therapy lens, I can help you to examine your roles in relationships and the impact of those who may be involved. When we understand ourselves more clearly, it allows us to be fully present in our relationships with others. I believe in the integration of the mind, body, and soul when approaching health, which means we can explore all areas of life that are important to you, in a safe and non-judgmental environment."

Therapist Intern
M.A. (in progress), Antioch University, Drama Therapy with Mental Health Counseling
B.A., Seattle University, Fine Arts with a minor in Psychology

"It is with great pleasure that I am serving in a professional internship position at Seattle Pacific University Student Counseling Center. Currently, I am completing my Master of Arts in Psychology at Antioch University Seattle, concentrating in the areas of Drama Therapy and Mental Health Counseling. I like to approach counseling from the perspective that behaviors are a result of thought processing. As we work together to understand our thought patterns, clients may discover as well, that past and present relationships, family systems, and cultural norms, may have some influence on objects of thought and perception. The purpose of our counseling sessions is to bring awareness to conscious and unconscious patterns of beliefs and feelings. In addition, I want to help guide clients toward better decision-making within the context of their lives. As we aspire to meet these goals, I will utilize the methods of cognitive, analytical, and drama therapies, in hope that we can leverage the client’s strengths in a capacity that will provide the best support possible."

Therapist Intern
M.A. (in progress), The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, Counseling Psychology
B.A., Washington State University, Social Science and Business Administration

"I feel that it is an honor and privilege to engage you in your story.  I appreciate the strength and courage that it requires to move toward change and believe that it is amidst the therapeutic relationship where healing and change can occur.  It is my desire to create a safe relationship in which we can authentically explore areas where you are experiencing difficulty.  There are many unique struggles and difficulties that are experienced during your college years, and I desire to walk beside you as you navigate these areas.  I greatly anticipate joining you on this journey."

Therapist Intern
M.A. (in progress), The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, Counseling Psychology
B.S., Indiana University, Recreation and Tourism Management

"I believe that life is both profoundly beautiful and deeply painful.  It is allowing ourselves to know and fully explore the pain we face that we can come to a place of experiencing the beauty more fully as well.  But this journey of exploring pain and experiencing beauty cannot be done alone.  We were created to live life in relationship, and while relationship is the source of much of our pain, relationship is also the place where the most healing can occur.  The goal of my therapeutic process is to use the therapeutic relationship in a way where the client can more fully understand the depths of their personal narrative in order to step into healthier relationships with self and others, and essentially then to live a more whole and abundant life."

Therapist Intern
M.A. (in progress), Antioch University, Mental Health Counseling
B.S., Central Michigan University, Psychology

"I view counseling as a collaborative alliance that is built from trust and acceptance of both client and counselor.  Because each individual is unique, I draw from a variety of therapeutic approaches, based on your needs and goals.  My goal is to create a compassionate and nonjudgmental environment so that, together, we can safely address your concerns and facilitate the life changes that you desire and deserve.  I am aware that we all come from different backgrounds with different stories.  In order to gain a holistic understanding of your story, I may explore how your cultural identification influences your beliefs, values, and experiences."

Therapist Intern
M.S. (in progress), Seattle Pacific University, Marriage and Family Therapy
B.S., University of Alabama at Birmingham, Psychology

"I believe that people seek to create a life that is fulfilling and meaningful.  In doing so, they make the best possible choices they can with the information available at the time.  My role as a therapist is to assist clients in uncovering what works and does not work in their current situations; to empower clients to bring about the change they desire and create a foundation for building solutions in the future.  I believe strongly in the need for connection to others as a way to create meaning in one's life.  Because of this, and my training in family systems, I am interested in exploring interpersonal relationships and spirituality, as seem relevant to the client."

Marriage & Family Therapy Extern
M.S., Seattle Pacific University, Marriage and Family Therapy

B.A, University of Washington, Psychology

"I beleive that in life we are all seeking to love and be loved. This quest looks different for each individual. Through counseling at the SPU student counseling center, my hope is to help students better uncover who they are so that they are better equipped to navigate through relationships with themsleves, family, friends, and significant others."

Administrative Assistant

B.S., Seattle Pacific University, Psychology

"It is a gratifying and refreshing experience to be able to work collaboratively with all of the wonderful therapists, dietitian, and office assistants at the Student Counseling Center. I fully believe in the SCC’s purpose to thoughtfully and carefully serve SPU’s undergraduate population and I am excited to help foster a safe, calm and supportive environment for all."

Graduate Assistant

Ph.D. (in progress), Seattle Pacific University, Clinical Psychology

B.A., Whitworth University, Psychology

"I am excited and honored to be returning to the Student Counseling Center team.  I believe that the SCC is a place where students can receive the help and support they need in a safe and comfortable environment. It is a privilege to work with the staff here, and I look forward to another great year!"

Graduate Assistant

Ph.D. (in progress), Seattle Pacific University, Clinical Psychology

B.A., University of California Davis, Psychology

"I believe the Student Counseling Center is a valuable resource for students and I am honored to be a part of the SCC team. I look forward to helping students access the help and support they are looking for in a friendly and safe environment."