I am a Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor in private practice in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle and previously at The Evergreen Clinic in Kirkland. I have been honored to have had the experience of providing counseling services for the past 20+ years in a wide variety of settings including individual, family, and groups in both inpatient and outpatient settings. While I treat a wide range of issues that motivate clients to seek counseling, I have a special interests in working with Anxiety and related disorders, Depression, Adjustment Disorders in response to major life transitions (divorce/separation, college life, independence, career adjustment). Even though my focus in on the individual, I encourage the participation of family members in treatment if desired and appropriate, and have skill and experience working with a diverse range of family and partner relationships.

 

Additionally, I am a certified Child Mental Health Specialist and have specific training and experience working with child and adolescent mental health including emotional, behavioral, educational and parenting issues.

I am trained in Collaborative Divorce and mediation and  I utilize the collaborative model when working with individuals and children in the divorce process. Although parents may be in different processes such as litigation or mediation, I adhere to Collaborative's focus on supporting growth, healing and a positive future vision for all the individuals involved. My professional and personal goal is to promote resilience and I and strive to minimize the negative stigma and repercussions that divorce has traditionally fostered. 

Raised by two exceptional and devoted teachers, I have been drawn to mentoring, teaching and sharing skills and knowledge. I have taught at the community college level, introductory and developmental psychology and am a frequent presenter for groups interested in learning about children's needs in divorce, parenting in divorce and using Collaborative Child Specialists in mediation. 

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Presentations and Trainings
Cascadia Collaborative Practice, Seattle, October 2013; "The Child Specialist"

Bainbridge Island Collaborative Practice, January 2013; "The Child Specialist: Successful Integration in Collaborative Teams"

King County Bar Association, Seattle, April 2013 & November 2018; "Children's Reactions to Divorce"

International Association of Collaborative Professionals, San Antonio Texas, October 2013 "The Child Specialist: Successful Integration in Collaborative Teams"

American Professional Association of Family Mediators, San Diego California, October 2014 "Utilizing the Child Specialist and Divorce Coach in Mediation"

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International Association of Collaborative Professionals, October, 2018 "The Child Specialist's Role in Divorce" 

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International Association of Collaborative Professionals April, 2021"Benefits of the Child Specialist Role in Divorce"

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Maximum Mom Podcast with Elise Buie, January, 2021 "Understanding and Truly Hearing what is Happening in Your Child"

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