Sandalwood Counseling, LLC

Welcome! Congratulations on your courage to look within and give yourself the gift of therapy. 

I work with adolescents (15+), adults, and couples who wish to enlist the help of a counselor to navigate difficult or challenging times in their lives.

I am licensed in both Oregon (LPC) and Washington (LMHC). I am certified chemical dependency in both Oregon (CADC-II) and Washington (CDP).  I am EMDR trained and am trained through Level 2 in Gottman Couples Therapy. I typically complete 35-40 hours of CEUs each year in various therapeutic techniques, theories, ethics, & cultural competencies.

I am passionate about psychology and about the work I do as a therapist, counselor, or life coach. I enjoy the work it requires to help clients experiencing feelings of sadness, confusion, low self-esteem, anxiety or stress...those with relationship issues, communication challenges, parenting & life transitions, medical conditions/management, drug or alcohol issues...and/or with those who wish to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in ways that bring increased hope, peace, vitality, and effectiveness to their lives. 

My thought is that therapy is both a science and an art. Education, research, interventions, biology do impact outcomes. But there is a softer side to personal growth and change, too...the therapeutic relationship, trust, comfort, and your interest in and commitment to yourself.  I believe the source of therapeutic outcomes lie within the individual - the more you know about yourself and about what makes you tick, the more clarity you can gain regarding your personal power and of your ability to make the best decisions for yourself.   The journey of personal exploration helps expose what isn’t working for you (and often, why) but also exposes your strengths - often those strengths that have been lost, clouded, or forgotten. Validating your strengths can lead to a profound shift in empowerment and personal control. This changes your awareness around how you communicate, how you perceive a situation or comment, and can [re] ignite an interest or desire around what you truly want from self and others.  

I will help facilitate your journey to self-discovery, working with you to understand what is going on now, why that is, and then help you change to support your goal. I use a collaborative approach to set goals with you, and utilize cognitive behavioral, solution-focused, attachment-based therapeutic approaches as primary tools in the helping process. I believe the issues presented in session are wonderful opportunities for you to learn about yourself and move toward the changes you seek.

The change I refer to is in you - your thoughts, beliefs, choices and actions. We can and will talk about others in relationship to you – I believe in the systemic approach that all things are connected - but the only place you really have leverage is in yourself. In our work, I will challenge you on your deeply-held beliefs around your expectations, fears you may not recognize, and self-defined limitations.

I believe we all have the potential for a rich, fulfilling life. We just need some help sometimes.

 More about me...

Doctor of Behavioral Health

Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Washington (LH60129047)

Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Oregon (C2687)

CADC-II (Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor - OR State )

CDP (Chemical Dependency Professional - WA State)

QMHP: Qualified Mental Health Professional

Doctorate of Behavioral Health, Arizona State University

Master's Degree in Professional Counseling, George Fox University 

Undergraduate Degree in Management & Organizational Leadership 

Previous director positions

Adult & youth, behavioral, co-occurring, gambling, and addiction programs, Portland, Vancouver, Long Beach WA

Previous individual and group work for Drug Court, Clatsop County

Previous volunteer, Cathlamet WA 

Previous 10+  years  in Corporate Marketing and Management 

Certified Moral Reconation Therapy group facilitator

Trained in Seeking Safety,  Matrix,    Staying Quit, Living in Balance

Commissioner-appointed Board Member: Wahkiakum County Mental Health, Developmentally Disabled, and Chemical Dependency Advisory Board from Jan 2007 to Jan 2011.

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