I am a Clinical Social Worker in private practice and I have worked with children, families, and adolescents for over 30 years. I also specialize in working with EMDR, Transgender and Gender-Queer clients, women, clients with trauma, and individuals. I am a licensed Clinical Social Worker in both Minnesota and California. I received my Master’s in Social Work at the University of Minnesota, where I was a Child Welfare Scholar. I am credentialed as an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapist for trauma. I have worked at Washburn Center for Children as an outpatient therapist and as a Day treatment therapist in California. I see clients of all ages. I believe that we all have the inherent ability to use our own strengths to heal from pain and start making positive changes in our lives. I see my role as primarily a witness and supporter for clients at they go through this process. I use a multi-disciplinary approach in my practice, drawing from many different research-supported theories and models. I continue to learn and grow as a person and a therapist, along with my clients. I am pledged to attend training and further my knowledge base as I expand my practice. I use the therapeutic relationship between clients and myself as a tool for clients to learn, grow and practice their skills in a safe environment. I use active listening techniques to hear clients' stories and join them on their journey. Sometimes therapy can trigger clients to feel worse before they feel better; however, this process can be helpful and even necessary for healing.
The areas of treatment that I work in include: EMDR trauma work for both adults and children, Gender Therapy, body-mind-spirit work, grief and loss work, Sand Tray therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, attachment work, parenting support, depression, anxiety, transgender/gender-queer clients, and working with gender creative children. I have provided clinical training on Gender Non-Conforming Children at the Transgender Health Care Coalition annual conference, on The DSM IV and Sexuality at Augsburg’s MSW program, and on Conflict Resolution for the midwest YMCA camp. I have also taught at The Family Partnership about Doing Family Therapy with Trans* Kids and Their Families. My practice style is collaborative. I hope you will ask questions, share ideas and offer input about the assessment and treatment process. My practice focuses on holistic and client centered therapy, and on the integration of the body and mind. I believe that an open and trusting therapeutic relationship is the most important factor in determining success in therapy.