It’s important to find a therapist with whom you feel comfortable (or, comfortable enough). You are quite literally choosing a guide & companion for a journey that can head through some dark places (don’t worry, I always pack extra torches). You need someone who can lead the way & watch your back in a tight spot (my spell slots are fully loaded).
I’m 37. I was born & raised in Portland, OR. I feel fortunate to live in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest & to have been exposed to the wilderness here at a young age. I’ve spent some time in Berlin, Germany, and lived in New York City for two years.
My personal & professional experiences have connected me with people from cultural backgrounds & walks of life very different from my own, something I am deeply grateful for. I believe the future of humanity depends on our ability to create diverse, multicultural societies that are organized around care & collaboration rather than competition.
I am committed to making my practice an inclusive, gender-affirming, anti-racist & liberatory space, where clients of all identities & backgrounds will be met with respect, humility, & care.
I come from a family of musicians, educators, & tradespeople. I’ve spent a lot of time playing & studying music throughout my life & I’m a proud second-generation member of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), Local 99. Being involved in the labor movement is something I value highly, & something that is also part of my family legacy.
Aside from music, my great joys include cats, coffee, good books, & history museums (I am particualrly fond of Clatsop County Historical Society). These days, when I’m not working I’m out on a walk or relaxing at home with my fiance and my cat Pesa.
I have worn many different hats in my working life (I like hats), including janitor, music teacher, cab driver, & union organizer. In 2013, I earned a BA in German from Reed College (an odd and worthwhile side quest).
As is the case with millions of Americans, the course of my life has been interrupted & impacted by mental health challenges & by several bouts of serious medical illness. I have benefitted from the guidance & support of several counselors over the years, including two exemplars of humanity who are no longer among us, Howard Waskow & Grey Wolfe. Howard & Grey are directly responsible for my becoming a psychotherapist.
My journey is not yours.I will never assume that I know what you should do based on my own experiences, and as a rule I don’t give advice. Your sessions are your time to discuss your concerns. I have decided to disclose a little bit about my own experience only to encourage you that therapy works, and to remind you that everyone needs help sometimes.
