Journey

Education

At the start of my education I placed my focus within the mental health and human services realm. I completed four different programs that focused on social services, mental health and women's growth and development. Throughout my years in training, I held multiple positions helping women and girls in areas such as pregnancy support and adoptions, parent education, psycho-education, mentorship, career development, empowerment, leadership and personal growth. My clinical training and experience encompass various social service and mental health degrees. These areas of coursework include: human growth & development, psychology & counseling theories, individual & group therapy, spiritual & cultural diversity, addictions, case management, assessment, diagnosis & treatment, and ethics. I also received training and education in Traumatology, Grief and Loss, Body Image, Motivational Interviewing, and Psychosocial & Spiritual Caring which add to my skills as a mental health provider.

Qualifications

Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 2017

Bachelor's of Science Degree in Social Work, 2013

Associate of Applied Sciences Degree in Mental Health and Human Services, & Youth Worker Certificate, 2011

Transitions Program, 2009

Perinatal Mental Health Certification, PSI

Training

During my clinical work, I received extensive training as a Quality Mental Health Practitioner, working with a broad range of mental health challenges including anxiety and depression, addiction, self-harm and suicidal ideation. This training involved working with trauma, evaluating issues from multiple perspectives and practice collaboration and consultation with other practitioners. As someone who has experienced personal loss and has seen the effects of losing a loved one, I participated in various perinatal loss trainings. Additional training in pregnancy loss has further helped me to continue to support women who have experienced the loss of a child during any stage in pregnancy. As a life long learner, my passion for working with moms broadens as I work as a certified clinician in Maternal Mental Health. Here at Mindbody Mama, I work to continue my training by expanding my education, coordinating care and connecting with other professionals that include psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, birth workers, lactation specialists, doulas and other helping professionals in the field of perinatal mental health.

Training/Certifications

The following list is an example of some of the areas of instruction I have have completed during the course of my practice.

Prevention & Treatment of Traumatic Childbirth, Perinatal Support Washington
Certification in Perinatal Mental Health, Postpartum Support International/ 2020 Mom.
Mastering Anxiety with Simple Evidence Based Techniques, Anxiety & Mindfulness Training, Certification through Evergreen
Perinatal Mental Health & Suicide, Maternal Mental Health Now
Suicide Prevention Training
Mindfulness: An Introduction, Mindful Ecotherapy Center
Perinatal Loss- A Framework for Therapists, Bina Bird
Suicide Prevention 2020, Kaiser Permanente
Teletherapy for Perinatal Mental Health, Postpartum Support International
Becoming Us, Level I Professional Training, Elly Taylor
Postpartum Support International Conference, PSI
Certification in Adoptive & Foster Family Therapy, Portland State University & Oregon Department of Human Services
Trauma & Birth: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Prevention & Healing, Perinatal Support Washington, 2019
Professional Maternal Mental Health Certificate Training, Postpartum Support International and 2020 Mom
Perinatal Bereavement for Psychotherapists Certificate, MommaCare TM, Dr. Deborah Rich
Maternal Mental Health 101, Postpartum Support International
Many Facets of Grief, Association for Humanistic Counseling
Mindfulness and Meditation, Mindfulness & Meditation Summit
Treating Trauma, NICABM

In addition, I consistently strive to stay connected in the field and continue to build relationships with other experienced practitioners through affiliations and membership including, but not limited to the following organizations:

Affiliations

Association for Humanistic Counseling

Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath and Death

NW Association for Death & Bereavement Support

Oregon Counseling Association

Postpartum Support International

Want to know more? Click here and check out my About Me page.

My journey to help others in health and wellness began over 20 years ago while caring for patients in the healthcare field and working in public health and family service programs. I worked for years assisting women, men, children and families over various developmental stages. With the desire to help at a deeper level, I soon realized that I would need to further my education in order to expand my skills and transition into the field of mental health. Life as a mother, work as a student and experience as a clinician have given me valuable training and education that I may take with me into private practice and work as a therapist. As a woman, a mother of three and a previous mentor to other women, I continue to work to empower others and help them to identify changes that they can create for themselves, even in the face of adversity. The various roles that I have held have given me invaluable lessons that I am able to take with me into the therapy room and my work with clients. I look forward to helping you work through various challenges that come your way and get you to a place that brings you peace while living a life you enjoy.

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
- Maya Angelou

Journey

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Education

Training

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“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” - Maya Angelou

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
- Maya Angelou