Services
- Individual
- Couples
- Family
- Adolescent/Teen
- Group
About My Clients
If you're a teen, young adult, couple, co-parent or family who can't picture sitting in an office staring at the therapist check me out. I'm part of a group, insurance reimbursed, practice Energy Matters (https://energymatterspdx.com). I have a separate, private pay only, equine assisted psychotherapy practice LifeSTREAM Therapy LLC (https://lifestreamtherapy.net). I use experiential activities, have fun and I can be direct when needed. Learning what "safe" feels opens connection.
My Background and Approach
Though directories force me to put down my specialties I believe that your experience of feeling safe and connected is by far the most important part of the work. I have many years experience working with youth, families and young adults who presented with a variety of mental health and trauma history as well as an array of prior treatment (successful and otherwise). I am clear on what my limitations are and will not test out equine work with you or your family member nor go beyond my scope of practice. Through 30 years of my work I've found that regardless of the technique I used the bottom line is two people are hanging out, doing stuff together. Maybe we're talking, maybe not. Again having horses as part of the process encourages me to shut up and let you get on with the work you need to do to be the person you want to be.
My Personal Beliefs and Interests
Sounds like BS sometimes but for me the best times in my life are when I am fully present. Times when I'm not thinking about yesterday or tomorrow but what's up right now. In those moments I'm the best friend, parent, partner, teacher, therapist, instructor whatever. And in being all in for right now I can listen, learn and grow. Everything else is just noise. Do I do that all the time? Nope. A lot, nope. Sometimes, yeah for sure. My personal work whether in exercising, hiking, biking, skiing, camping, meditating and being mindful is all about being here now. I've started taking horseback riding lessons this summer of 2018. Our therapy work is vastly ground based and doesn't involve you having any knowledge of horsemanship or riding. But on a horse I'm as in the moment as I am while downhill skiing or rock climbing. And being present with my twin teens is even more important now than it was when they were little. I get far less time to spend since they are appropriately busy.