I was published in a professional journal in 2024, where I wrote about this transformation as well. That article can be found in: Voices: The Art and Science of Psychotherapy and the American Academy of Psychotherapists, from Vol 60, No 1-3, 2024.

 

My Training and Experience

I received a Master’s Degree in Social Work in 2006 and have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2008. I am also a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and have been since 2007.

I trained at Naropa University for a year to become a Certified Psychedelic therapist in 2001. I have traveled to Colombia mutliple times to work with and learn from the plant medicine Yage/Ayahuasca and about the intersection of modern and indigenous approaches to psychedelic and plant medicine interventions. There I was able to lean from Xochi Bucharu, Curandera as well as Joe Tafur, MD and Cvita Mamic.

I receive regular clinical supervision from Dr. Chantelle Thomas as well as Kaye Lawrence, LCPC.

I have provided group and individual therapy for both mental health and substance use disorders for two decades in inpatient and outpatient settings. 

I attend professional education and trainings with regularity and stay current in treatment modalities. I have specailized training and experience in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and work primarily with this model.

In addition to my private practice offerings, I also work at the Riverbird Clinic in Portland, offering individual and group based ketamine assisted therapy.

 

My Perspective on Growth and Healing

I’ve spent 20 years of my life helping other humans transform fear, self doubt, and shame into courage, the ability to take risks, and freedom from the vices that keep them stuck. I believe that a growth mindset is our most powerful tool for mental wellness, emotional health, and surviving the sometimes difficult, uncomfortable, and painful experiences that life can bring us. Improving our mental health means fully developing our ability to recognize, meet, and move through uncomfortable feelings and be more deeply attuned to our nervous systems. It also means looking at the larger picture of our lifestyle and how our choices with food, drink, sleep, stress management and exercise are intimately connected to our mental wellbeing. It also requires us to consider our (dis)connection to the nature and the spiritual realms and the potential impact on our wellbeing.

My focus now on ketamine-assisted therapy was born of a desire to support my client in going deeper into their own healing than traditional talk therapy allows and helping them find relief sooner. In traditional therapy, my focus on the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model has allowed me to do the same, without medicine. Both methods help individuals more deeply claim and trust their inner knowing. 

Who I Work With

The focus of my work now is Ketamine Assisted Therapy with a few traditional therapy slots offered primarily virtually and sometimes in person. I work with adults (18+).

I have worked with a number of humans that identify as neurodivergent, non binary, and trans and provide a safe and welcoming environment for all humans, no matter how they identify themselves in the world.

Over the years, I have become an expert in the field of addiction treatment. I work a great deal with Major Depression as well and that is a particular interest of mine. I have a depth of experience working with PTSD, attachment trauma, and the development of self esteem and communication skills. I make room for the psycho-spiritual dimension in the therapy room, inviting others to explore this dimension of their own well being in a way that fits their beliefs.

I also offer preparation and integration coaching to humans who are engaged in self led work with psychedelics and sacred plant medicines. This work is enhanced by my training as a therapist and can help elevate medicine work for those engaged in it.

My Specialties:

 

Ketamine-Assisted Therapy

I am a Certified Psychedelic Assisted Therapist and completed my program of study through Naropa University in 2021. Psychedelics are a powerful too to facilitate healing in mental health treatment and I am beyond thrilled to have such a powerful tool for my clients that assists in healing the root cause of mental illness and struggle, rather than just keeping symptoms at bay.

I offer Ketamine Assisted Therapy at my practice. For more information about KAT, see the menu at the top of my website or the button at the bottom of this page.

Traditional Therapy

I maintain a small number of traditional therapy slots in my practice. My clinical work primarily utilizes internal family systems (IFS) work with an emphasis on somatic techniques. I take a whole life approach to therapy, meaning that helping people have better health means exploring all of the areas of their life that are impacting that. getting what you want out of therapy is about much more than what happens in the office. It is very much about what happens in between your sessions. I work best with individuals that are deeply invested in their own healing process and want to engage in the invitations for growth that therapy provides. I have a wealth of experience treating depression and addiction as well as working on healing self esteem and attachment wounds. If learning how to take up space in the world and find and use your voice feel important, you have come to the right place.

Supervision and Consultation for Psychedelic Therapists

I provide formal consulting services and clinical supervision for other psychedelic therapists seeking to create Ketamine Assisted Therapy services in their private practices or those already providing these services wanting more support. I have developed my own KAT services in my private practice and it has become my primary offering after four years of building it. I have created proven systems to minimize overwhelm and maximize confidence for other KAT clinicians.

 

Learn More About My Services