Licensed Professional Counselor & Clinical Psychologist with 12 years of experience helping people move through the things that feel most stuck.
I came to this work because I believe most people are doing the best they can with what they have — and that "the best they can" can genuinely expand when someone finally sits with them and pays close attention. That's what therapy, at its best, offers: careful, unhurried attention to your actual life.
I grew up in a family where things were generally fine on the surface and harder underneath, which gave me an early appreciation for the gap between how people appear and how they actually feel. That gap is where I work. My job is to help close it — not by fixing you, but by creating a space where you can start to understand yourself more honestly.
I completed my doctoral training at the University of Oregon with a clinical specialization in trauma and affect regulation. Before opening Stillwater Counseling, I worked for several years in community mental health settings, where I developed a deep respect for the complexity and resilience of the people I serve. I've now worked with hundreds of clients across a wide range of concerns, and I still find every person's story genuinely interesting.
I specialize in anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship difficulties, and life transitions. I also do a significant amount of work with LGBTQ+ individuals and couples — both those processing identity-related experiences and those who simply want a therapist who doesn't require them to explain themselves.
I draw from several evidence-based frameworks depending on what a client needs. I don't believe one model works for everyone, and I'm more interested in what's actually effective for you than in staying rigidly within any single theory.
Helps identify and shift the thought patterns that drive anxiety, depression, and other mood difficulties. Practical, structured, and well-supported by research.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a specialized approach for trauma that helps the brain process difficult memories in a way that reduces their ongoing impact. I'm fully certified in EMDR and use it frequently.
Builds skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. Particularly helpful for people who experience intense emotions or find themselves in crisis patterns.
A research-based approach to couples therapy developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman. Focuses on building friendship, managing conflict constructively, and creating shared meaning. I'm trained to Level 3.
My style is warm, direct, and collaborative. I ask a lot of questions, but I'm not clinical or cold about it. I'll take notes because I genuinely want to remember the details of your life, not because I'm filling out a form. If something isn't working in our sessions, I want to know — we can adjust.
I believe therapy should feel useful. Not every session will feel good (the honest ones sometimes don't), but you should generally be leaving with something — a new way of seeing a situation, a skill to try, a sense of being a little less alone with whatever you're carrying. If you're not feeling that, tell me.
I also believe in being honest with clients about what I'm noticing. I won't just nod and reflect. If I see a pattern that seems worth naming, I'll name it, gently but directly. That's part of what makes therapy different from talking to a good friend — a good therapist says the things that are useful to say, not just the things that are comfortable.
These aren't just professional commitments — they're the beliefs that shape how I show up in the room.
I'll tell you what I notice, not just what's comfortable. Therapy that avoids the hard things isn't therapy — it's expensive conversation.
The relationship between therapist and client is the most powerful tool we have. I work hard to make it feel genuinely safe.
My approaches are grounded in clinical research. I'm trained in what works, and I stay current on it.
My practice is explicitly welcoming to LGBTQ+ individuals, BIPOC clients, and people of all backgrounds and belief systems.
I offer sliding scale fees because I don't want cost to prevent someone from getting care they need.
You are the expert on your own life. My job is to help you hear yourself more clearly, not to tell you what to do.
The Stillwater office is on the second floor of a quiet building in Portland's Buckman neighborhood — a 10-minute walk from Ladd's Addition, with street parking nearby. The space is small and intentional: natural light, soft textures, and a design that doesn't ask you to perform wellness.
There's a small waiting area with tea, water, and good light. Sessions happen in a private room — soundproofed, comfortable, and designed to feel like somewhere you can actually exhale.
For clients who prefer not to come into the office, telehealth is available via a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. I've found telehealth to be just as effective for most concerns, and many of my clients prefer it.
I set aside a number of sliding scale spots in my practice for clients who need them. My standard fee is $175 per 50-minute session for individuals and $220 for couples. Reduced fees are available based on financial need — please don't let cost stop you from reaching out.
Stillwater Counseling is a private-pay practice. I provide monthly superbills for out-of-network insurance reimbursement — many PPO plans cover 50–80% of session costs.
Payment is accepted by credit card, debit, or HSA/FSA card. A 24-hour cancellation policy applies; late cancellations are charged at the full session rate.
Let's connect
A free 15-minute consultation is the easiest way to find out if we're a good fit. No forms, no pressure, just an honest conversation.