I believe that there's meaning in everything we do, and I use that belief to approach counseling in a mindful and holistic way. As most modern counselors, I like to work with an integrative framework to create a unique, personalized counseling experience for each person. Some of the core approaches and methods that I use in this framework are Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Existential Therapy, IFS informed Parts-Work, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills.
Two of my specialties that I'm able to offer outside of traditional counseling are Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), and Equestrian Mental Performance. Mixing my degree with my background as a lifelong equestrian and former professional in the hunter/jumper world, I'm able to utilize the therapeutic, healing quality of horses, as well as help my fellow equestrians work through issues like performance anxiety and fear.
Who I am outside of counseling: This might be obvious, but I'm a big animal lover! I have a horse (Donnie), a dog (Rowan), and two cats (Ziggy & Charlie). Most days you can find me either out at the barn riding my horse, out running with my dog, or hanging with my cats at home while finding a new artsy hobby to try. I love reading/listening to audiobooks and will happily discuss any good suggestions for fantasy/adventure series–I'm currently deep into Brandon Sanderson's work. I also like listening to spooky or true crime podcasts! I've lived in Washington my entire life and definitely enjoy taking advantage of the beautiful scenery and mild (if not soggy) weather we typically get here.
Ages: Pre-teens, teens, new adults, adults.
Populations/Groups: Women, equestrians, athletes, LGBTQIA+, men, and open to working with many more!
Issues: Anxiety, depression, trauma/PTSD, equestrian specific issues, sports performance, neurodivergence, life transitions, women's issues, burnout, stress, body dysmorphia, and grief.
Specialties: Anxiety and stress, pre-teen/teen issues, and equestrian issues and sports performance.
What I *Don't* See at This Time: I don't work with couples or large families.
My practice utilizes the Green Bottle Sliding Scale Model, an equity-based system where you self-select your payment tier during onboarding based on your financial resources. Choosing a higher tier if you have the means directly subsidizes care for those who need supported rates. I do not take insurance at this time.
Initial Intake:
Individual Counseling Rates:
Group Counseling (Coming Soon):
All intake sessions are held virtually and are 60 minutes.
About: In individual sessions, clients receive one-on-one support to work through life's difficulties and create meaningful change. Each session focuses on understanding your unique experiences and developing tools and coping skills that promote emotional wellbeing.
Duration: 50 minutes
Location: General counseling sessions are held virtually. Other individual services and their locations are specified below.
About: Equine-assisted psychotherapy combines traditional therapeutic techniques with guided interactions with horses to support emotional and behavioral growth. Sessions help clients build confidence, communication skills, and self-awareness through experiential learning. The presence of the horse offers immediate, honest feedback that deepens insight and healing. This approach is especially effective for those who benefit from movement, nature, and experiential learning.
Duration: 50 minutes.
Location: Gig Harbor, WA, 10 minutes off the first exit over the Narrows bridge.
For horse owners: If you'd like to do counseling alongside your own equine companion and are within a manageable radius of the South Sound area, I can meet at your barn and hold EAP sessions with you there.
About: These sessions bring mental skills coaching directly to the barn or arena. Sessions focus on challenges like show nerves and the pressures of competition, fear after a fall, rebuilding trust after setbacks, confidence with a specific horse, and anything else that may be impacting the rider, the horse, and their relationship. These can also be non-riding issues as well. Equestrians learn practical strategies and gain tools to strengthen emotional regulation, focus, and confidence both in and out of the saddle, enhancing the connection to their horse and the effectiveness of communication.
Duration: 50 minutes or the length of the client's lesson (if working in-tandem with a trainer).
Private Session (Solo): $165 per hour
Private Session (Tandem w/ Trainer): $140 per hour
Group (2+) Session Rate: $125 per rider, per hour
Clinic Session Rate: $100 per rider, per day
Horse Show/Competition Day Fee: $180 per day
Travel: I will travel within a 50 mile radius of the South Sound area (Puyallup/Tacoma), travel fees do apply (unless you're hauling to my base facility).
Haul-ins: Trailer to the barn I operate out of in Gig Harbor for lesson sessions with myself and Narrows Equestrian trainer, Jenn Wagner. Haul-ins will pay the fee to trailer to the property, as well as a lesson fee to Jenn Wagner.
Group Counseling
Equestrian Mental Performance Clinics
Equestrian Mental Performance Lectures/Workshops