About Me
Clinical
My work is relational, psychodynamic, and systems-oriented. This means relationships are the center of my work, I often revisit your early experiences of self-worth and attachment, and we will explore the interconnections between you and the broader society you live in. I borrow from traditional and experiential therapies to help you regulate your emotions, learn to hold yourself compassionately, heal wounds from trauma and invalidation, and to act from the clarity of your values, rather than your fears and insecurities.
― Lilla Watson
social location
I am a white queer settler living on unceded Duwamish lands, known as Seattle. I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest on the occupied lands of the Upper Skagit peoples, but I’ve lived in the South and Midwest. After exiting the military, I spent almost a decade going to school and doing sex work as a single parent.
It was the organizing I did in my community of sex workers to increase safety and comradery that led me to the field of social work.
I am healing from/in capitalism with a great deal of personal privilege that allowed me to open my own practice. Self employment allows me to honor a slower pace of life that my body requires.
Education
- Fellow for the Northwest Leaders in Behavioral Health Program, 2021-2022
- Masters in Social Work from University of Washington School of Social Work, 2022
- BA in Women’s and Ethnic Studies from University of Colorado Colorado Springs, 2018
- IFS Level 1 from the Internal Family Systems Institute, 2023
- Advanced Internal Family Systems and Polyvagal Theory with Alexia Rothman, PhD, 2023
- Advanced Mental Health and Advanced Medical Standards of Care from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), 2023
Personal
I’m a sensitive, gender-fluid person – I often feel like a little guy living in a giant woman’s body. Myths, symbolism, and storytelling are some of my special interests.
I saw the Twin Towers burning on public access TV in my school. I went through puberty as a big girl at the peak of Y2K low rise jeans. I got to experience the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell as an active duty queer. I’ve traded sex for money and I survived higher education while raising children.
I spend my free time with my children and my partner. I like to read, video-game, garden, and road-trip.
