About
You are offered a safe place, free from worry.
When you come to my office, you’ll find a sanctuary for the courageous.
A place of safety
where time and space have been set aside for you.
For once in your life, you don’t have to worry that you’ll:
Say the wrong thing,
Hurt someone’s feelings,
Use too many tissues,
Or be judged harshly.
This is a place for vision, courage, and dreaming.
In the safety of therapy, you’ll develop a vision of the changes you want to make.
Together, we’ll go to the places you’ve been afraid to go by yourself.
You’ll gather the courage to face the darkness and dare to dream.
We will discover who you are inside and who you want to be.
Week by week, we’ll go below the surface to discover the experiences and beliefs getting in your way. As the saying goes, “Old habits die hard.”
In the beginning, it may be hard to let go of the old ways. They feel comfortable and natural even though they don’t work. The new ways feel awkward and clumsy.
Gradually, you’ll notice yourself responding differently to old situations.
This newfound strength feels good. You won’t be perfect, but you’ll know you’re on the path of growth.
You’re becoming more of who you were created to be.
About Me
If you’re going to open your life to me, it seems fair that you might want to know a bit about me.
My cultural background and experience are diverse.
To start, I’m what’s called a TCK – a Third Culture Kid. My mother is Japanese, and my father was career Air Force. I’m a blend of cultures by birth and by experience, growing up in different countries and places around the United States.
So, maybe it’s not so surprising that after my husband, Rick, and I were married, we took our one-year old daughter and two-year old son to Tanzania and Kenya where we were missionaries. Later, we lived and worked in five countries in Western South America.
In all, we served 18 years overseas.
Both faith and psychology are my guides for understanding people.
I’ve had a lifelong passion for understanding people through the lenses of faith and psychology.
Along the way I’ve earned four degrees in psychology and theology ending with a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology and Counseling.
Although I love learning, I’m tired of taking tests; so I think I’m finished with degrees… but not learning.
I’ve been in private practice since 2008, and I also provide therapy for children in CPS custody at a local children’s emergency shelter.
Family makes life complete.
On the personal side, Rick and I have been married since 1981. Rick also is a licensed marriage and family therapist who has recently retired from private practice to focus on other interests.
Our son and daughter are adults now, and we have three completely amazing grandchildren.
I love animals, nature, a cup of coffee, and unhurried conversation.
Horses are my new pleasure.
One of the most exciting things in my life the last few years has been the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of learning to ride horses.
Horses are prey animals and are exquisitely sensitive to their surroundings and to the emotions of other animals and of humans.
When riding, I’m learning to use some of the same skills I teach my clients.
The focus of a steady mind and calm emotions creates a partnership with these powerful, beautiful creatures.
Winston Churchill said, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” (Or a woman or child.) I agree.