I have dual training as a psychotherapist and biological scientist. I have two Master’s degrees, one in Molecular Biology and one in Professional Mental Health Counseling, and I am also a certified Ayurvedic Practitioner. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Oregon and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Washington.
My specializations include stress, anxiety, self-criticism, overwork/burnout, complex trauma, self-care/well-being and the psychological & emotional aspects of various physical health challenges. I have a special interest in working with college students and other healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, physical therapists, counselors and psychotherapists, and alternative health practitioners.
My therapeutic approach involves the integration of various theoretical frameworks, including psychodynamic psychotherapy, complex trauma theory including the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), Control Mastery Theory (CMT), Interpersonal Neurobiology (IN), Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI), and Ayurvedic Psychology. In addition to working with various mental health disorders, psychological and emotional symptoms, and the effects of current/past stressors and traumas I have also worked with clients to address psychological and emotional issues that may be underlying or exacerbating certain physical symptoms. Some examples include chronic back/neck pain, skin conditions (e.g. psoriasis, eczema), fibromyalgia, autoimmune conditions, and gastrointestinal disorders such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth).
Prior to pursuing my education and training in mental health, I worked for over 10 years as a biological research scientist in the fields of cancer, neurobiology, and stem cell research. Since then I've worked in a medical laboratory setting while also practicing psychotherapy. Currently I am the SIBO Laboratory Supervisor at the NUNM SIBO Center (at the National University of Natural Medicine). I have extensive experience analyzing and interpreting laboratory results of SIBO breath tests and I have provided psychotherapy services to several clients living with SIBO and/or other functional gastrointestinal disorders, which is an important part of a holistic treatment approach.
