About
(Se Habla Espanol)
Specialty Focus Areas:
- Couples, Individuals and Family counseling
Christian counseling is a process by which we name the truth and renew ourselves.
Personally, I have reached points of desperation in my walk of faith in Christ. I know what it is like to cry out to God from the depths of darkness, and I consider it an honor to be with others in those places. In my own therapy, I have had many lights “turned on” where I have come to name some difficult realities in my life. I have learned what it is to be human. So after teaching for 4 years, I decided it was time to get a Masters in Counseling.
What I offer you:
- A belief in an endless and unconditional Love which compels my practice.
- Reliance upon the Holy Spirit for wisdom, which is as readily available as the air that we breathe.
- An ultimate belief in Redemption for everybody and a Hope that goes to the darkest places and heals.
During our counseling time, we will explore how negative behaviors helped you survive or what purpose they had in your life. We will then address a healthy way of coping and handling those specific situations so we can relate with others in a positive way.
If applicable, we will address the fear of intimacy and how you can begin believing in relationships.
I often remind my Christian clients that just because they are believers, it does not mean that they will not struggle with the same issues as people who do not profess faith in Christ. We are all humans living in an imperfect world; and the same grace is available to us all. I specifically moved to a Christian practice because I believe that there are people both within the church and without who are looking for peace and fulfillment – both internally and within their relationships. I believe in infinite hope, grace, redemption, and love. This is what I want to offer others as I offer my presence in counseling.
My goals for you through Christian counseling:
- Wholeness while having an honest grip on the reality of what it is to live in an imperfect, fallen world.
- Restoring our image as a reflection of our Creator and Redeemer.
- Discovering grace (acceptance) for ourselves and others. Ultimately finding peace and healing and re-connecting with our ability to love self and others.
- To shed ineffective thoughts and behavior (after examining them and discovering the ways those patterns have served us) and to learn new and healthy ways of relating.
- To develop relationships that are mutually fulfilling.
My Intention:
My intention as a counselor is to form a relationship which becomes a safe place within which you can explore the nature of persistent obstacles which leave you feeling confused, overwhelmed, or “stuck.” We will look at your style of relating to others, habits and patterns formed throughout the years, as a way to gain insight into who you are and where you would like to be. We will explore the significant relationships in your life (FAMILY OF ORIGIN, parental, romantic, friendships, etc) as well as your own relationship with yourself (i.e. how you deal with your emotions, how you handle and/or address conflict, coping mechanisms for anxiety, stress and/or sadness, etc). My work is psychodynamic with an existential approach (crisis of faith, defining your purpose, coming to terms with who you are in this world), but I borrow from other theories as well. I consider myself to be integrative as a counselor. The hope is that as you understand the reality of who you have been, and who you are, you will gain more control over writing the story of your future (who you want to be). You will be better empowered because you have done the hard work of looking inward and confronting the ineffective ways you have been coping with life’s struggles and relational realities. With that understanding and self-empowerment, you will be able to believe in yourself and the strength you possess to make the necessary and desired changes. In essence, you will be enabled to live the life of which you dream.
On a personal note:
I am married to a man who has accepted all of me in such a beautiful and healing way. We have a daughter. And here I am wanting to live and relate authentically to others.
I love nature. I hike and camp through snow and rain and sun. I travel often, both inside the US and outside. Have been to Africa (Mozambique and South Africa), all over Central America, Turkey, and Egypt. I sing and play the guitar and piano whenever I possibly can. Currently, I am working on writing new songs and singing them in coffee shops with a friend of mine. I read often, all kinds of literature, and participate in a monthly book club. I play every day with my fearless and feisty daughter. I love to spend time with friends and family. Date nights with my husband are treasured. I enjoy cooking, trying new concoctions whenever possible. I work out and jog for exercise, and have recently discovered my love of Body Pump classes.
