I am passionate about my work at Charis Counseling Associates. I am a client-centered systemic marriage and family therapist. Foundational to my therapeutic practice is a Christian worldview. I fervently believe that God is the Great Physician and Divine Healer of all past, present, and future pain.  I also respect each individuals’ worldview and their unique faith practice.

Stylistically, I am directive, warm, compassionate and I feel having a sense of humor is essential in my professional and personal life. I compassionately encourage all my clients to share their daily successes and challenges. Also, to consider joining a specialized support group. I use a strength based approach pulling from: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Somatic (body-mind) Psychotherapy, Narrative and Emotional Focused Therapy. I am passionate about the Expressive Therapies including, but not limited to: virtual sandtray, projective photography, foil sculpture, and dream journaling. I vigorously support client check-in assessments each session. Plus reading, journaling, podcasts, therapeutic movies, and working in tandem with your healthcare provider.

Over the last fifteen years, I have had experience working with: depression, anxiety, loneliness, stress management, grief and loss, pre-marital and marital counseling, parenting issues with adult children, singleness, relationship issues, divorce, career and lifestyle changes and remaining active during retirement and aging.

I graduated from Oregon State University in 1984. My teaching career with Portland Public Schools has greatly enhanced my counseling practice. I have taught refugees, exchange students, teen parents, and families without housing. I taught classes on: healthy relationships, prenatal health, parenting, substance abuse, domestic violence, family stress, loss, and career development. I graduated in 2008 from George Fox University with a M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy. I have a Mental Health Counselor License in Washington State (LH 60536758) and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Oregon (C3567).

I am happily married and devoted to the love of my life. We have four adult children. All of them have completed college and are actively and happily pursuing their professional dreams.

During my time away from Charis, my self care consists of listening to worship music and studying the Bible, lap swimming, water jogging, hiking, yoga, piyo, dancing, weight lifting, wake boarding and water/snow skiing. I sincerely feel, we are all life long learners. It is important to continue to grow professionally and personally. So, I try to attend online continuing educational workshops from experts all over the United States. They have been a great source of inspiration and challenged me to never stop growing as a therapist.

I am honored and privileged to co-author with you to discover your hopes and dreams. No matter how bleak or terrible our circumstances become in life. I firmly believe God is the Divine Healer and we should never give up hope.