About Rebecca
Child Counselor, Adult Counselor, Issaquah, Washington
My Path: Finding a perfect fit
In high school I knew two things; I wanted to go to college so I could have a career I loved, and I wanted to better the lives of others and the community around me. College orientation rolled around and I still didn’t know what I wanted to major in. I chose Psychology thinking it might help me to learn more about myself, while giving me time to decide on a major and a career path. Within that first year I knew that studying about human nature and researching ways to improve our lives with each other was a perfect fit for me. In fact, my professor and mentor at Northwest Nazarene University saw the natural counselor in me. She took me under her wing, and encouraged me to pursue a graduate degree in counseling. This was confirming to know that I would have the abilities necessary to pursue life as a counselor. This embodies who I am today in my career, community, and in my off time as I strive to live life full and present and to teach others to do the same.
Graduate School: Clarifying my life’s work and passion
Starting my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at George Fox University was full of diverse and inspirational experiences like getting to study Play Therapy under the director of the NW Center for Play Therapy Studies, learning to incorporate spirituality and a client’s faith system into counseling, and exploring the role of shame in addiction under a shame researcher.
During this time, I also had the opportunity to work as a unit counselor for a residential treatment center for at risk youth. Working with kids with persistent mental illness and their families was a formative experience for me, and further sparked my passion for working with kids and their families.
In my final year of graduate school, I interned with a non-profit that provided community based services to children and families involved in the Child Welfare System. I saw so much strength and resilience in the children and families that I worked with. It was always tremendously rewarding to see children returned, and families restored. I had no doubt, being a counselor and working with children and families would be my life’s work and passion.
Ongoing growth and development
Over the past ten years, I have continued to expand my knowledge and experience working in various settings including a large hospital HMO clinic, community mental health, residential treatment and private practice. Throughout all of it I have kept my focus on helping children, families and adults to live more balanced and full lives. Part of my growth as a therapist, was to pursue specialized training and certification in a trauma treatment called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I have enjoyed incorporating this into my practice, as I have seen tremendous results for people struggling with life trauma, single incident trauma, and even more general anxieties.
It is important to me to continue to grow as a mother, wife, parent and therapist. In the last year I have been inspired by the work of Brene Brown, shame researcher, and I am excited to learn new ways of incorporating her work into my life and practice.
Credentials
Bachelors of Psychology from Northwest Nazarene University
Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy from George Fox Universiy
Oregon State Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #T0715
Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor #LH60108339
Washington State Child Mental Health Specialist
EMDR certified since 2009
On a personal note…
Like most of us, I have struggled to find balance and peace in this technology immersed, fast paced modern world. I have worked to use mindfulness practices to be more engaged and present in the moment rather than allowing anxieties to rob me of joy. I have a history of obesity that I have learned to overcome through balance in life and attending to my emotions rather than numbing through overeating. Every day I work towards this balance and leaning into my feelings through laughter and play with my husband and daughter, staying active through hiking and running, and cultivating my creative side through cooking and crafts.
Contact us to book a counseling session in our Issaquah or Sammamish therapy office. Or, set up a FREE, 10-minute phone consultation by calling us at 425-269-3277.