1601 116th Ave NE, Ste. 102
Bellevue, WA 98004
After graduating from Western Washington University with a BA in Business Administration in 1986, my chosen path took me into the entrepreneurial world. Then a new path emerged as I got married, had a child and became the primary parent. I also decided to pursue my interest in health and fitness by coaching and training recreational and competitive cyclists and other athletes.
Life turned again when I experienced divorce and emerged with a yearning to understand how relationships break down over time and how they can be saved, rebuilt and revitalized. I returned to school, earned a masters degree in behavioral science and began working with couples and families on strengthening relationships. I now have an amazing and wonderful partner and relationship, which still takes daily nurturing and work!
I love helping people, especially couples, increase their happiness and love as they work toward reaching their goals to create a life together. If a couple does decide to separate, I can help them dismantle the spousal relationship, yet work to maintain the parental relationship.
After finishing graduate school, I went to work where I had completed my internship, at Navos Mental Health. Over three years there as a case manager/psychotherapist I was blessed with the opportunity to work with hundreds of clients struggling with issues related to mental illness such as bipolar, depression, PTSD, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and personality disorders. I got the chance to support people working to meet their basic needs and manage a mental illness at the same time. I tried many types of therapy and learned what was most effective for me as a practitioner and for my clients.
Since learning about and training to become an Emotionally Focused Therapist, I have become passionate about EFT and mainly practice Emotionally Focused Therapy for individuals, couples and families because it works. I also help people work through trauma and emotional pain via Lifespan Integration Therapy and the other EFT, Emotional Freedom Technique. Additionally, my training at Gottman's Relationship Research Institute and through facilitating groups using the Gottman model, I have been able to use many effective tools to improve communication among couples and families. I look forward to applying my training and experience to support you.
Advanced Follow up Workshop, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Portland, OR 2017
Advanced Workship, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Lago di Garda, Italy 2017
Intensive Workshop, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Seattle, WA 2016
Emotional Freedom Technique, Level 1, Judith Frost, LiCSW, 2012
Restoring and Revitalizing Marital Sexuality, Barry McCarthy, PhD, 2011
Healing Affairs using EFT, Scott Woolley PhD, 2011
Transforming the Difficult Child; The Nurtured Heart Approach, Howard Glasser, 2011
Teens and Technology Addiction, Hilarie Cash, PhD, 20111
Sexual Addiction and Infidelity Dynamics, Rob Baker, LMFT, 2011
Understanding Personality Disorders, Joseph Shannon, Ph.D., Institute for Brain Potential, 2011
Attachment and Trauma in Children, Rebecca Mallos, MSW, LICSW, 2011
Ethics & Technology, Lisa Erickson, MS LMHC 2011
Byron Katie workshop: Relationships Are Hell: Is It True? - with Grace Bell, 2011
Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy® - Stan Tatkin PsyD
Seattle Training Group - 2009
Emotionally Focused Therapy - Core Skills Training, 2009
Lifespan Integration Training - Advanced*, Peggy Pace, 2009, 2010*
Becoming a Love and Logic Parent - Instructor Training, Jim & Charles Fay & Foster Cline, 2009
Motivational Interviewing - 2009
Gottman "Loving Couples Loving Children" training, 2008
Emotionally Focused Therapy Externship, 2008 + ongoing supervision
Dispute Resolution Center - Snohomish - Basic Mediation Training, 2008
Master of Arts – Applied Behavioral Science, 2008
Leadership Institute of Seattle (LIOS)
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration, 1986
Western Washington University, Bellingham Washington
NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, 2004
Certified Advanced Metabolic Typing Advisor, 2006
Intrinsic Coach™, 2006
USA Cycling Expert Level Coach, 2002
Training & education