My Training

Dialectical Behavior Therapy
  An evidence-based approach developed to help those whose emotional pain is so profound they harm themselves or attempt suicide.  Using a balance of acceptance and change, this intensive therapeutic intervention uses a combination of skill training, cognitive behavioral techniques, individual therapy and life-space consultation.  The skills taught by this approach in mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal relationships are essential to anyone wanting a life truly worth living.  To all my counseling work, I bring both these skills and the art of balancing acceptance of where you are now with the need to improve.

Solution Focused Brief Therapy
  This approach focuses on what people have already done to create a solution to their difficulties.  It helps clarify and extend that solution and use the strengths of an individual, couple or family to create lasting change. In tapping in to the creativity that is already at work, great shifts can happen in a short time.

Systemic and Strategic Family Therapy
  This is the study of the family as a living organism. The behavior of each member interacts with that of every other, influencing, balancing and creating feedback loops. Through an understanding of these interactions and of the necessary shifts we help families to become the safe, healing and nourishing refuges they need to be for each of us to thrive.

Wraparound Facilitation
  As a nationally certified Wraparound Facilitator, I received rigorous training and testing in working with the teams of people that naturally surround individuals and families.  When a child has serious behavioral and emotional difficulties and families are struggling with many layers of stress, it "takes a village" to help that family back to health.  Wraparound uses a team of both professional and natural supports to create an individualized, sustainable plan so families can get help and support that does not fade when the professionals are not available.  When the difficulties are complex we can build a team.