Exclusively Couples
I believe that the best way to grow is through an intimate relationship with someone else. I've seen that in my own relationships and in my clients.
My focus is couples and my training and commitment is to couples work. There is a ripple effect: by strengthening the couple, you strengthen all parts of your life from your family to your work to your friendships to how you feel about yourself.
This is the best work we can do on
this planet. Everything else springs from that fierce connection.Outside the Box
It takes all kinds of couples to make a world and I welcome them all. I am experienced in working with the following couples/relationships:
lesbian
gay
transgender
pre-maritalpolyamorous
bi-culturalparenting couples
spiritually diverse
racially diverse
open relationships
age difference
long-distancesexual differences
I honor the diversity of your culture, your race, your religious beliefs, your gender and/or your sexuality/sexual orientation.
My Approach
I see problem patterns, not problem people. I work with couples to help them understand and shift those patterns, while respecting who they are and how they live their lives. I work best with clients who want a therapist who is direct, transparent, funny, flexible, moves quickly and is not afraid to tell them the truth.
My focus is couples, but I am particularly interested in working with bi-racial and bi-cultural couples, as well as sexuality/sexual issues.
I also have experience
working with infidelity, addictions, gender issues/ transitioning, cultural disconnect, childhood trauma/abuse, parenthood,
prejudice/social disenfranchisement and depression/anxiety.Like all humans, I have blind spots and I make mistakes; I work to own those and welcome my clients challenging me.
Who I Am
I became a couples counselor because I believe that we all long to connect to others emotionally, physically, sexually, spiritually--and I wanted to help others achieve that connection.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Oregon with a private practice in Kenton/North Portland. I have a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Portland State University
I am certified in Relational Life Therapy with Terry Real (www.terryreal.com) and have additional training in Susan Johnson's EFT-C (Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples), Bessel van der Kolk (trauma, Dan Wile's Collaborative Couples Therapy, Esther Perel (sexuality and infidelity) and Martha Kauppi (sexuality, sexual desire, polyamory).
I work from a family systems perspective (we are all connected in a system and making one shift can shift everything else in that system) and attachment theory (how we bonded as infants affects how we bond to our adult partners).
Before becoming a therapist, I was a journalist, editor, writing instructor, worked in midwifery, led parenting classes and groups for teen girls in the foster system. Most of my early life was spent living outside the United States. I speak conversational German and Italian and am tackling Turkish.
What I Charge
Because I believe couples work requires the time to go deeper, I see couples weekly for 90-minute sessions. My rate is $150/90 minutes.
I am committed to making couples therapy accessible to all, therefore I keep half of my spots open for couples who are economically disadvantaged. Please ask me about this and let me know what is affordable for you. I can also point you towards other low-cost counseling resources.
I offer a free 30-minute consultation on the phone or Zoom. I do not take insurance. I donate 10% of my pre-tax earnings to several domestic and international non-profit organizations that advocate social, racial and economic justice, gender equality, peacemaking and disarmament and ending hunger.
If my schedule is full and I cannot fit you in, please see my list of referrals (below), or email me and I will do my best to help you.
Note: Our workshops/groups are on hold for 2020. We hope to continue them when it's safe to do so.
We can help improve your communication skills and deepen your intimate connection. We will offer a Couples Process Group (the spring group is now closed) in the fall that offers couples a deep and supportive dive into their relationship in a group setting. For more information about any of our workshops/groups, go to Contact.
Couples Workshop: Relationship Skills for Connection, Sunday May 17
175.00CANCELLED. Please check back for future workshops.
Why do we do the things we do in our most intimate relationship? This four-hour workshop attempts to answer that question while offering a set of skills you can use right away to resolve conflict and gain resilience as a couple.
Sunday, May 17
1-5 pm
Pine Street Sangha in MontavillaAdd to cartQuantityCouples Skills & Connection Workshop Sunday, March 15
175.00CANCELLED. Please check back for future workshops.
Why do we do the things we do in our most intimate relationship? This four-hour workshop attempts to answer that question while offering a set of skills you can use right away to resolve conflict and gain resilience as a couple.
Sunday, March 15
1-5 pm
Pine Street Sangha in Montavilla
$175.00Add to cartQuantityProcess group for Couples March 9 -- April 27 -- GROUP is FULL
100.00NOTE: This group is full. Please contact us if you are interested in being part of a future Couples Process Group.
A process group uses the power of group experience and support to help couples grow and thrive.
This is an 8-week group that allows couples to be real about their experiences in a safe place, while gaining strength and wisdom from others. The result can foster more intimacy, connection and pleasure in your relationship.
Runs Mondays March 9 - April 27 from 7-9 pm
Meets at Pine Street Sangha in MontavillaQuantityAll options are out of stockAdd to cart
