My Approach

My goal is to provide a safe and confidential environment for you (or you and your loved ones) to explore the concerns you are facing and work with you to discover lasting solutions. I seek to support and encourage your emotional, mental and relational growth in an atmosphere of trust and respect.

My counseling approaches vary according to the needs of my clients. My theoretical perspective combines theories of Cognitive Behavioral; Cognitive Behavioral is a general term for a form of counseling that emphasizes the important role of thinking in how we feel and what we do. I use Bowen Family-of-Origin work & Systems Theory as well as Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Pastoral Counseling. At times, depending on the client, I use the creative and dynamic processes of artistic metalworking to further therapeutic goals. This approach has provided solid success with some of my adolescent clients. Regardless of methods, I am committed to providing you with what you need to better understanding yourself your relationships and becoming more fully yourself.

Counseling may be helpful in dealing with the following concerns;

Emotional Concerns
Anxiety
Depression
Fear
Shame
Self-Esteem

Relationship Concerns
Partner/Spouse issues
Dating/Single
Work issues
Communication tools

Life Span Concerns
Health/Illness
Divorce/Break up
Loss/Bereavement
Career Transition/Coaching
Religious Issues
Spirituality/Identity
Addiction

Getting Started

Ok, so its not your run-of-the mill therapy office, which makes it a creative space to do therapy. Actually I think it is one of the dynamics that allow for creative solution finding! As far as I know, I am the only therapist in Puget Sound area that has a counseling space within a functioning metal studio. A smaller office is set apart from the metal studio where I do work with couples and individuals, providing a more relaxed, less industrial setting.

Why all the tools?

Often, conventional talk therapy bumps up against some limits, a wall of sorts. It is at those moments when I like to get out of my head and offer what I have termed Industrial Art Therapy. It's then that we go out into the larger studio.

An approach helpful with adolescents and adult, it provides an opportunity to use your hands as well as soul, to shape some metal, either through welding up some impromtu sculture, or forging out a leaf or decorative hook. Its all up to you! The coolest part of all this is that 95% of my clents have never explored their creativity with metal.

Often, people discover new aspects of themselves when they are doing new things slightly outside their skill set...or what they are used to doing.

This is one of the primary reasons my counseling office is within a fully functioning metal shop; a wonderfully unique and adaptive setup, with plenty of meaning and potential.

I am located off an alley, near the University of Washington Tacoma area.
Plenty of parking is available. My address is 2345 Court E Tacoma WA 98402, and an accurate map can be found online by using that address.
Look for the red door and black handrail on the south side of the street!