Welcome to Pleasant Boundaries!
I believe we are all created for joy-the feeling that someone is glad to be with us; that we are the ‘sparkle in someone’s eye.’ But when we lose our joy, or maybe the hurts of life prevented us from experiencing joy in the first place, we can get stuck, feeling alone and isolated. We might experience anxiety or depression or even addiction in the absence of healthy, life giving relationships. I believe that trauma can be healed and suffering can lead to wisdom, knowledge, skills, compassion, maturity and resilience.
I use an attachment and emotional focused approach to counseling that creates a space for clients to heal from trauma and grow in maturity and wisdom. I also love to care for the needs of caregivers. I understand the needs of those who work in fields that require them to witness and carry the pain and suffering of others; church and ministry leaders, medical professionals. I am trained in EMDR and other trauma focused therapies. As a Christian counselor, I also love to use a Christian psychological therapy called Immanuel Prayer and Life Model Informed Therapy for clients who would like their Christian faith integrated into their therapy.
Life Model is an idealized life span conceptualization, meaning that it uses what we have learned from developmental and brain sciences and Biblical theology to describe how human beings are meant to be, if we had developed as the ought, without the effects of sin and evil in rhe world. I have completed the first two modules of the Life Model Informed Therapy, which you can learn about here.
I am a Christian, and while I don’t require anyone to adhere to my beliefs, I do believe it’s important to know what lens your counselor is looking at the world through, as you decide whether I am a good fit for you and your goals.
Learn more about Life Model Works here.
About Me
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Education
I have my Bachelors degree in Fine Art (2001) from Judson College in Elgin, IL and a Master’s degree in Counseling (2021) from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
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Training
EMDR-basic level
Immanuel Prayer and Life Model Informed Therapy
Somatic Experiencing, beginning level -
Experience
I have many years of experience of working with people in a caring capacity. Over the past decade I have worked in residential settings for teen moms and for sex trafficking survivors. I have also worked as a caregiver for elderly people. All of those experiences have taught me how to listen compassionately as well as how to use brain science and an understanding of secure attachment needs to help clients know they don’t have to face their struggles alone anymore, and they can heal and grow. In church, I have served in ministries that focus on prayer and healing,
My life’s journey has also included some unique experiences. I went to art school and later spent a few years working in the realm of sustainable agriculture. I milked cows on a raw milk dairy and have grown vegetables to sell in my CSA (community supported agriculture). I eventually realized that each of these interests were connected by my desire for healing, creativity and a whole being sort of flourishing in life giving community.