Intellectual Disability Therapists in Shoreline, WA

I have been practicing as a mental health counselor for nearly 20 years, serving as a mental health counselor, counseling center director, and teaching college-level human development courses. I have also served as a domestic violence advocate and instructor within the Department of Corrections. I have expertise in not only addressing mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, relationship dynamics, parenting, and managing stress, but also helping people with college and career success, career exploration, and decision making, whether it's the beginning of your career or your next career opportunity.

I am a clinical psychologist who specializes in diagnostic assessment of autism across the lifespan (including presentation in adult women). I provide evaluations for clients who wonder about possible autism for themselves or their children. I also have a small therapy practice where I focus on mental health and wellness with clients who are autistic or whose lives are shaped by autism (including Asperger’s Syndrome). Over the past decades, I directed Autism Centers at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Oregon Health & Science University where I engaged in research, training and clinical care.

Over the years I have had the privilege to help individuals and families dealing with a range of problems, including trauma, grief and loss, addiction, mood disorders, anxiety, self-esteem and identity issues, and relationship difficulties, to name I few. I also provide psychological assessments for children and adolescents. I particularly specialize in assessing for Autism, learning and intellectual disabilities, and general diagnostic clarification.

Current openings. "Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out" -John Wooden. ...You've made it to this website, to scrolling through therapist profiles, contemplating getting some help. That says a lot about you already. Whatever negative self-image you may have right now, you're still persevering, willing to put in the work to address your mental health challenges. It's all one step at at time, and I'm here to support you on this journey to getting back to living the fulfilling life we both know you deserve.

I have over 20 years of experience working as a mental health counselor in the State of Washington. My areas of expertise include individual, couple, and family therapy. My specialties are PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse. Also, I have been facilitating different groups for 20 years and a DBT group for 9 years. All of the clients who have committed themself to this DBT class have learned some specific DBT skills that they can apply in their daily lives when they feel depressed or anxious.

I provide therapeutic services for adults, adolescents and children. I incorporate aspects of applied behavior analysis, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, psycho-education, and family systems theories. I work with a broad spectrum of people with diverse neurological makeup including but not limited to those diagnosed with developmental disabilities, ADHD, Autism, Depression and Anxiety.

I am a believer in the power of therapy for everyone. We all need a safe place to vent, feel validated in our experiences and be able to process the difficult parts of life. Humor and hope are two key elements of my work with clients. I have been working as a counselor for over 8 years and have found that through humor, collaboration and understanding- we can make incredible leaps towards healing and becoming our best selves. I look forward to guiding you along this journey.

While my initial focus was concerns of young people through early adulthood, over the years I have extended my range, and presently work with all ages and development. I deal with problems from normal developmental issues to serious psychological disorders. My interests also include developmental disabilities, parenting, and the special concerns of very able individuals. I work with individuals, families, and groups. As appropriate, I employ a variety of treatment modalities, including behavioral, cognitive, and insight-oriented, with emphasis on understanding clearly clients' needs, collecting useful information, and coming up with positively-oriented plans that fit them as well as being most likely to work.

People often come to me seeking therapy because they are ready for change. Some people know exactly what they want to change in their lives while others are still exploring. Either way, it’s often very intimidating to begin therapy, even if you’ve done it before. Changing anything about one’s life can be an intimidating process. It’s very important to find a therapist that you trust. I primarily work with clients dealing with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, body image concerns, and/or transitioning to a new phase of life.