About
My Experience
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I have a masters of arts in Art Therapy, and a bachelor's in Pre-Art Therapy. In graduate school, I volunteered with elderly with dementia, had my practicum at an inpatient psychiatric unit for children and teens, and then spent my internship with adult survivors of domestic violence. After graduating, I spent a year working with kids and their families in crisis, getting experience in high key situations and working within complicated systems. Since then, I have worked outpatient (the therapist you see once a week or so for a period of time), first for a group practice, and then on my own since 2023. The folks that I have worked the most with tend to fit at least one of these categories:
-Have a history of relational trauma, or chronically unmet emotional needs
-Are highly sensitive and/or have ADHD or Autism (or suspect they do)
-Tend to be more considerate to others than themselves
-Have trouble knowing what they want, how they feel, or struggle in their relationship with their Self
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In addition, I spent two years/400 hours volunteering for a psychedelic support hotline and occasionally volunteer for crisis support at festivals/events.
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What all of these have in common is that I have the privilege of supporting people in states of overwhelm and deep feelings. I welcome complex stories and big feelings as we understand the underlying roots (trauma, beliefs, relationship patterns, etc) that is creating such stuckness or disturbance within yourself. I'll walk along side you as a supportive witness, co-regulater, and space holder as you navigate towards steadiness and security. Read more about how I work on the services page.
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Oregon License Professional Counselor #: C7687
Oregon Licensed Art Therapist: ART-T-10229674
Registered Art Therapist (ATR): ATCB #: 23-025
About Soft Tones
The name Soft Tones is referencing the power of soft skills like sensitivity, curiosity, and compassion. I bring this to my work and support you building it within yourself, because nourishing these qualities can lead towards not only health, but vitality. The plant lambs ear is exceptionally soft to the touch, but one of the heartiest, drought resistant ones I've planted, and has thrived in poor soil and long days in direct sun. Similarly, Western Red Cedar has soft, inviting expanse of fronds along their gently sloping branches. It has a gentle presence yet is known as one of the hardest woods, resistant to warping and decay. Cedar has also been used across continents and time as a symbol of protection and safety. There are examples all around us - we don't have far to look that soft and gentle does not need to mean disempowered.
The name Soft Tones also refers to my emphasis on a safe therapeutic relationship above all, which I cultivate with skills like warmth, compassion, and unconditional positive regard. I don't want to judge you, I want to understand you.
About Me
I was a professional people-photographer on the east coast before moving to Oregon for graduate school in 2017. As much as I loved being a full time creative, there was only so much emotional support I could give in that role. And in the same way that I prefer to rewild a natural space rather than to garden, I love to support someone becoming who they truly are and want to be. I think we are all better off when each person can lean into their own strengths, sensitivities, and curiosities.
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I approach this work with compassion and humility, and this life with warmth and wonder. I have great respect for my role as a therapist and for those who work with me, and I hold reverence for this world (and everything in it). I also find joy in absurdity and play; what a relief that life doesn’t always need to be so serious.
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Outside of work, I pour myself into friendships, nature, and a perpetual rotation of creative pursuits. I love learning about and planting native flora, and I live by values of leave no trace and reciprocity. I am exceedingly grateful for the time I spent as a photographer, and still love to make photos of friends in beautiful places, especially while backpacking or hiking. All of the photos on this website are ones I've taken.