My Credentials

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Oregon #6192
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Washington #60628827
Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work, Arizona State University, 1997
Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Oberlin College, 1994
    
In addition to the formal degrees and certificates listed above, I regularly attend on-going training workshops and seminars in a variety of subjects.  I believe it is important to continue to learn new techniques and stay abreast of current research to best serve my clients.

A little bit about me…

     I am a master’s level psychotherapist and I have been doing clinical work since 1997.  I am licensed as a Clinical Social Worker here in Oregon and as an Independent Clinical Social Worker in Washington.  I was also licensed in Colorado for 12 years before moving back to the great Northwest.  I have worked in both agency and private practice settings and have experience working with anxiety, infertility, grief issues including pregnancy loss, self-esteem, co-dependency and postpartum depression.  I also love working with personal growth issues and the desire to have a happier, more fulfilling life.

     I provide individual counseling for adults wanting to discover how to live their best life and those wanting support to get through a difficult time in their life.   I come from a personal growth perspective as I believe that both our pain and desire teach us to center our attention around a part of us that needs to grow.  You may be looking to change old habits that no longer work for you, improve your relationships with others or with yourself.  You may be feeling out of control or overwhelmed by events in your life that are painful or unexpected.  There may be ways you feels stuck or repeating the same patterns and it’s hard to see a way to do life differently.  Perhaps there is a bigger change happening in your life or a change you want to make happen and it’s hard to know where to start and how to tackle the fears and questions that arise. 

     My job is to listen and perhaps offer a fresh perspective to help you rediscover your passions and strengths.  I can offer you information to help you better understand the stress, grief or anxiety you may be experiencing.  And, be forewarned, I love to give homework.  Part of growth and healing is about gaining new skills to bring to your life to better create what you want and to handle what is difficult.   It’s not just about talking about it.  It’s also about doing some things differently.

     I approach this work using mindfulness and body-centered techniques mixed with cognitive behavioral and insight-oriented perspectives.  I see therapy as a collaboration between you and I together.  I don’t have all the answers for you.  And you don’t need me to.  Together we can find the answers that fit best for you.  
 
If you have any questions about my training, experience or credentials, please feel free to call me at 303-915-5567 or e-mail me by clicking the link HERE.

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On a more personal note,

         I live in southeast Portland with my two kiddos, two cats and a rabbit.  I grew up in the Willamette Valley and have recently returned after living in Denver, Colorado for 17 years.  It is so good to be back in the green treed haven that is Portland.  And the coffee!  Oh, the coffee!
        I love gardening and all things green (as you can probably tell from this website 🙂  I enjoy hiking, camping and climbing the occasional mountain.  Days at the coast are another favorite of mine.  I also love to read and practice yoga to relax and rejuvenate.  My own search for peace, contentment, and a spiritual foundation to life has brought me much joy and excitement.  I never cease to be amazed at what we can discover about ourselves and our potential for transformation.  I am passionate about my own continued growth as well as supporting others to find their own version of happiness.

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Faith
When you walk to the edge
of all the light you have
and take that first step
into the darkness of the unknown
you must believe that one of two things will happen:
There will be something solid for you to stand upon,
or you will be taught how to fly.

by Patrick Overton