Spend 50 minutes free of pressure, interruptions, politics, screens, and AI.
Spend it in the presence of a professional counselor, active in the Christian faith, giving you undivided attention, focused on your well-being.
Talk to me about what you value the most, and what you want to accomplish. Tell me about various challenges and fears that always seem to get in the way.
We’re going to look at what stories you’ve been telling yourself, and their impact. We’ll ask what your emotions might be trying to tell you. They shouldn’t be telling you what to do. Let’s get clear about what they’re actually for. Neuroscience has lots to teach us about this, and more!
Looking for relationship counseling? I love working with couples!
If you’re just starting your journey, I do premarital counseling. I am a certified Prepare/Enrich facilitator and trainer.
Did you know that around 80% of emotional conflict is rooted in experiences that took place before your relationship started? It’s essential to look at your families of origin and relationship histories to understand where those feelings are actually coming from. Let’s assess what’s happening between you two without assigning blame, so that you can hold safe, productive conversations as a couple.
I’ve received training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Trauma-Informed Couples Therapy, and Emotionally Focused Therapy.
Goals of couples therapy include: increasing insight about yourselves and each other; repairing relationship injuries; and practicing new interactions. My desire is to help you move towards unconditional love & acceptance.
I’m available for office appointments Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, including some evening options.
3939 NE Hancock St in the Hollywood District.
Contact me for current availability.
I’m also available for virtuaI sessions on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, including some evening options.
Contact me for current availability.
About me.
Training & experience. I have an MA in Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling from George Fox University. I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Oregon. I’ve facilitated groups for engaged couples and married couples and am a Prepare/Enrich facilitator and trainer.
Creativity has always been important to me. I have degrees in art and architecture, worked as a designer/builder for 20 years, and I’m a musician. Creativity plays a part in counseling, too — no two people or situations are alike. Your creativity (and mine) will be vital as we work together.
Lifelong learning. I study a lot. I take notes during counseling sessions and review them later. I research. I share about what I’m learning—including things you have taught me.
Language. It consists of words, figures of speech, tone, expression, and body language. I love decoding the messages in language and exploring new ways to say things.
Values. Sometimes your values get pushed aside—by you or by others. Values compete with each other and change. I help you clarify and prioritize them.
Faith. Faith is an important part of our stories. I'm a Christian. Faith deserves to be part of the conversation. Lots to talk about here. Deconstruction can be scary but it’s not inherently bad. In fact, it’s essential to your development.
Emotions. Many of us were taught to suppress our emotions and to mistrust people who are "too emotional." Actually, your emotions not wrong and they’re important. Let's pay attention to what they're telling us.
Bicycles. I ride every day and bikepack every summer. Cycling is a way that I care for myself. Let's look at all the ways you care for yourself.
What people have said to me:
“You’re impartial. And you helped my husband to say stuff I’ve never heard him say before.”
— couples client
“Thanks for walking through this with me, your support has been invaluable… I’m living a more grateful and peaceful life.”
— past client
“You put your heart and soul into your job!”
— colleague
Issues I work with:
separations, career change, faith issues, grief & loss, depression, affairs, relationship conflict, identity development, motivation, anxiety, boundaries, retirement, twenties, thirties, forties, fifties, sixties
Creativity is vital to growth.
You don’t need to be artsy. I mean creativity in a different sense: using imagination to think and make change.
Growth means trying new things.
Personally, I love to draw, design, and build stuff. I arrange music and lead a chamber group.
Counseling is an art. No two people or situations are alike. So counseling doesn’t adhere to a formula. It’s a creative process.
I had to learn about self care.
I used to automatically see self care as as selfish. I never wanted to put myself ahead of other people. I wanted to practice self-denial. I didn’t understand that self-denial can actually be taken too far.
A wise professor taught me that self-care is different from selfishness.
A wise counselor pointed out to me that Jesus, who epitomized self-denial, modeled self care, too.
And a wise person I live with (my wife) let me know that I’m a lot more fun to be around on the days I get exercise. 😂 She helped me to realize that caring for myself is synonymous with caring for her.
Today, I see self care not just as a way to feel better, but as a way to live and love better.
Recommended reading.
These are some books I recommend a lot.
I also like to share articles, videos, and podcast episodes with you. Stuff that connects to what we’re working on.
If you decide to buy a book, I encourage you to patronize a local brick-and-mortar store such as Powell’s or Broadway Books.
About the fir motif.
I’ve lived in western Oregon my whole life. We have lots of Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). I’ve felled and split fir trees for firewood and built houses and furniture with its lumber. I’m always seeing cones on the ground and picking them up.
You don’t see many baby seedlings, though. The seeds don’t germinate very easily. They need certain conditions. We do, too. I’m not saying we need to be babied, but that the conditions need to be right for us to thrive.
What conditions are you living in?
Fees:
The fee for a 50 minute counseling session is $150.
Sliding scale. I have a limited number of reduced fee slots available for clients who can't afford the full rate. Please inquire about availability.
Insurance: I am not in insurance networks. However, your policy may cover my services as an out-of-network provider. Check with your insurance company.
There are benefits of paying cash: you keep control of your private health information, your goals, course of treatment, diagnosis process, and number of visits.
Arrange a consultation.
Request a free 15 minute phone consultation below.
We can discuss issues and schedules. If we decide it’s a fit, we’ll exchange some info and set an appointment.