I am a licensed clinical social worker in Washington State and have worked in community mental health for 53 years, 43 of which I have done direct clinical work with people. My experience includes working with individuals with a wide variety of conditions and include, among others, depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse, grief and loss identity issues, relationships concerns, and major psychiatric disorders. I love seeing people change, grow, and learn to help in healing themselves over time. I believe in the dignity of each person and strive to treat everyone with respect and unconditional acceptance. My philosophy is that each person seeking help is an expert on their own condition and my role as therapist is to help elicit and guide them toward their individual goals. While I consider myself a strengths-based and client-centered therapist, as well as incorporating other treatment modalities, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, among others, I believe that a strong, supportive, trusting professional relationship is the main factor in helping people achieve positive change. I believe that good mental and emotional health is crucial for all of us and I aim to honor each and every person I work with in providing them with compassion and empathetic care, while assisting them in their healing process. I also think that when people practice and work on their issues as well as attend and participate in their therapy sessions consistently, they enhance their ability to reach their goals.