I am first ME! I bring a wealth of experience as mother, wife, sister, aunt, niece, athlete, Navy Veteran and trauma therapist.
Overcoming current challenges is the journey that leads many to therapy. Treatment plans will include those areas needing growth while helping you to learn to show real love and unconditional positive regard for ones self while on that journey. When entering my office, you deserve to feel valued for who you are, know you matter and your concerns matter as well.
I am here to help, listen, and to provide a sound and secure place to process your unique and complex challenges.
The Fireweed plant here in Alaska is known to be the first sign of life after a forest fire. Like the Fireweed, I want to help you grow from your past events, sprouting new leaves that lead you to succeed in every way possible.
With 10+ years of experience working professionally with trauma related events, and six 6 years at Standing Together Against Rape (STAR), I am more than capable to assist you in overcoming your own personal challenges. Whether it’s the occasional bad day, long lasting trauma, traumatic life events, PTSD symptoms, anxiety or depression I am here to provide Solution-Based Counseling and help you map a course to a have a more productive, fulfilling and happier quality of life.
Education & Training
I earned my undergraduate degree from Columbia College in 2000 and graduated from Alaska Pacific University earning a master’s degree in counseling psychology in 2012. EMDR training completed 2014
Therapy Model
Holistic counseling is a unique form of counseling, focused on a person in their entirety; it considers physiological and psychological disorders as parts of a greater whole, and regards the mind, body and spirit as fundamentally interconnected. The concept in opening Fireweed Counseling and Wellness is with the intention and focus of treating the individual as a whole.
I am a client centered and strengths based therapist, well-versed in trauma, cognizant of emotional and physiological reactions related to past traumatic experiences and how these elements influence an individual’s reactions to current day stressors.
Focusing on helping clients to manage and regain control of their physical symptoms, reactions and related experiences using a multimodality approach, drawing from EFT, CBT, REBT, DBT and EMDR, mindfulness and Gestalt practices.
Being aware of an event’s post traumatic effects(be it an assault, abuse, violence, grief, divorce, loss of a loved one, etc.), I recognize that although a traumatic event may have occurred years ago, the effects physically and emotionally often still remain, continuing to impact the individual’s current relationships and quality of life.
Through identifying and processing negative core beliefs, clients can identify a healthy, more positive belief to redirect their course and gain a better perspective on present day situations. Clients may also receive a renewed clarity and confidence in settings and pursuing realistic and attainable future goals.