Training & Experience

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with the state of Washington and have earned a Masters Degree in Psychology (Child, Couple, & Family Therapy) and a Masters Degree in Education, both from Antioch University Seattle. I have also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Washington, and have completed doctoral work in the area of Adult Learning & Motivation and Adult Development from the Fielding Institute in Santa Barbara, CA.

I spent 30 years as a professional musician, having performed early on with such groups as the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, the Seattle Opera, the Seattle Brass Ensemble, and the Northwest Chamber Orchestra. I have also spent 20 years as a public school educator, earning several state and national outstanding teaching and leadership awards before retiring in 2004. As an educator, I have provided numerous professional development seminars and trainings for teachers, and was recently on the faculty of Pacific Lutheran University where I helped supervise and evaluate music teachers completing their teaching internships.

As a therapist, I spent a year and a half treating children with behavior disorders, mood disorders, and conduct disorders, as well as providing family therapy and reconciliation services to low-income families. Most recently, I spent approximately 3 years treating adults who were experiencing grief and loss issues, severe mood disorders, complex trauma & PTSD, chronic pain and medical issues, and chemical dependency recovery. At present, I am a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.