About Taylor
Adult Therapist

Who I Am

I grew up in a small town as the oldest in a large family, and as the oldest daughter, I quickly took on the caregiver role. Having to take care of five younger brothers meant daily chaos and constant havoc. However, it was interesting to watch them grow into individuals who were all so different even though they came from the same household. I learned to love the diversity of people and how various perspectives develop based on one’s makeup, background, and history.

My experience with my own mental health is what first made me interested in learning about psychology. I know the feeling of not knowing what is “normal” and “not normal” and needing to find answers about why I was feeling and thinking the way I did. I was called the “anxious kid” growing up, yet I wasn’t even aware of what that meant or why I was anxious in the first place. This is one of the reasons why if someone is curious about their brain and their mental health, I urge them to seek out therapy or education so they can feel a little more validated in their experiences. My mental health journey has faced challenges, but through personal work, education, and gaining experience in the field, I am now honored to assist others on their journeys.

Why Therapy?

To be perfectly honest, I never meant to become a therapist. Even when I got my Bachelor’s in psychology, I told myself, “I don’t know what I’m going to do with this, but it definitely won’t be therapy.” After graduating, I spent a year in limbo, unsure of what to do with my life next, when someone offered social work as a possibility. I had no idea what social work was, but their argument was compelling, so I decided to apply to a Master of Social Work program on a whim!

After I started classes, it only took a week or two to completely fall in love with therapy. I get to hang out with cool people who have interesting stories and help them at the same time. Sign me up! It’s like working together with someone to try and solve the most complex, nuanced puzzle every day. When a piece is solved and the person sees improvement, the payoff is priceless.

My Approach to Therapy

I meet the client where they are and go from there. People have all worked hard to get to where they currently are, and that effort deserves respect. The valuable skills and knowledge cultivated along the way are helpful when starting therapy. Building on a person’s strengths is empowering and helps us learn to appreciate our minds and bodies. While I work with a wide range of diagnoses and people, I enjoy helping people through their anxiety, OCD, and trauma the most. I use a variety of approaches, including CBT, DBT, ACT, and EMDR, and try to find the modality and style of therapy that fits best for the person I am working with.

Therapy is a joint effort, so a good relationship is necessary for success. It’s important to find someone with whom you “click” with and can trust, even if that person isn’t me.

Credentials

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Sociology
Bachelor of Science (BS), Psychology
Master of Social Work (MSW), Social Work
WA Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), #LW61584965

In My Free Time

When not doing therapy, I’m either at home hanging out with my husband or visiting my family and getting caught up in all of their adventures! At home, I am typically inside watching TV, playing video games, crocheting, and listening to true crime. Thanks to my love of anime, I want to learn Japanese and build up my collection of manga.