Personality Disorders

I believe that personality disorders are the result of early experiences of relational trauma. I have a deep compassion for people who have survived these experiences. I am committed to providing a therapeutic relationship that increases vulnerability, understanding, and trust of self and others through a corrective experience.

I specialize in supporting people with Borderline Personality Disorder as well as people who have been impacted by Narcissistic abuse. I create a safe place for you to uncover the coping skills you learned as a result of your trauma and develop skills for navigating experiences of abandonment, rejection, and emotional instability. Together, we can help you feel safe in your body, heal your trauma, and develop healthy relationships in your life today.

During my time in private practice, and prior to my experiences with VA and DOD, I worked in an acute care facility, where I focused largely on the effects and healing from personality disorders. It takes a nuanced approach and deep clinical understanding to be able to align with someone dealing with a personality disorder without judgement or biased. We all deserve to have a fulfilling life and solid relationships, which is often the distressing fallout of these disorders.

I specialize in clients diagnosed with personality disorders. I will support you in working towards your ideal life, managing symptoms, and understanding the diagnosis.

I specialize in working with Borderline personality Disorder in particular, with having experience and success with helping this population improve their emotional regulation skills and ability, and improve their inter-personal relationships. I am also working on becoming certified in DBT to help this population as well.

All relationships come with their own hurdles; however, sometimes they can feel extra difficult to navigate. If being in close relationships has often felt difficult, please reach out and learn how to feel closer and more engaged with those you care about.

I work closely with abuse victims and family members of personality disordered individuals, especially cluster B (Borderline, Narcissistic, and Histrionic Personality).

BPD is my passion because I have extensive clinical experience in working with clients who have this condition. I have witnessed the challenges and the strengths of people with BPD, and I have learned to appreciate their resilience and courage. I have also seen the positive outcomes of using acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to assist my clients with BPD.

At their root, I view any personality disorder as behaviors that worked for us at one time but don’t work anymore. Employing a combination of methods, including Functional Analytic Psychotherapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy, I enjoy helping others recognize their inherent value.

People with personality disorders experience long-standing patterns of behaviors, thoughts, and feelings that cause distress or impairment in various areas of functioning, such as relationships, work, or social interactions. These patterns are typically inflexible and pervasive, persisting across different situations and contexts.

As a clinician, I have came across individuals from all walks of life. Many variables, from genetics to chaotic upbringings, can impact the onset and prevalence of personality disorders. The effects can be burdening on mental, physical, and interpersonal levels, yet, these disorders are treatable. I work to help people embrace their situations from a healthier, developed mindset through strategic skill building. With the proper treatment and care, increased quality of life is achievable.

Receiving a personality disorder diagnosis such as Borderline Personality Disorder can feel extremely disorienting. Seeking a personality disorder diagnosis might feel like steady ground. Either way, it is hard finding a genuine space to explore your personal experience, and how carrying this diagnosis may be a relief, or an extreme judgement, or both. I offer a trauma-informed, healing-centered, Internal Family Systems approach.

I specialize in supporting people with Borderline Personality Disorder as well as people who have been impacted by Narcissistic abuse. In our sessions, I create a safe place for you to uncover the coping skills you learned as a result of your trauma and develop healthier skills for navigating experiences of abandonment, rejection, and emotional instability. Together, we can help you feel safe in your body, heal your trauma, and develop healthy relationships in your life today.

I have experience and enjoy working with folks with BPD and NPD.

I can assure you that you are welcome here in this space. I've built a whole person program to do more than just talk: Depth oriented individual work to unburden the wounds, creative exploration (with a sprinkle of skills, because they are still needed), and nature based work to fill up your cup. This program is here to help undo the whole knot, and be a constant space to receive support from. Head to my website, take a look at what I have to offer. It's a space for you if you want it.

Some of my clients feel understood for the first time in their lives when they receive a personality disorder diagnosis. Others have strong negative feelings about it. No matter how you feel about it, the recurrent depression, feelings of emptiness, feeling outside of life, having a hard time building really satisfying relationships with others, and chaotic feeling that can come with BPD or NPD is painful. You deserve help that can ease your suffering and help you live a more satisfying life.

It can be difficult when diagnosed with a personality disorder to know where to turn. I have worked with numerous clients to understand their diagnosis and to help them learn to connect with their environment.

Tami’s initial training in master’s level clinical work began at Pacifica Graduate Institute. This individual focused training emphasizes psychological forces such as feelings and emotions that influence behaviors. In essence, asking how our pasts effects our present. Tami’s ongoing training consists of specializations in treating Complex-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Managing personality disorders can be really overwhelming. It is overwhelming for the individual as well as family and loved ones. I assist clients in managing personality disorders, primarily borderline personality disorder (BPD), through an intervention known as DBT, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. We work together and learn skills like mindfulness, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness and distress tolerance.