ABOUT ME
Healing Grove Counseling, LLC began with a belief that people have strength to endure the challenges life brings, especially within the context of supportive relationships. Tree groves have amazing protective factors; with a single root system connecting them they can withstand storms, fires and hold one another up. I believe people are similar in that we can function as stronger individuals when supported by those in our families and communities. Trees also inspire my work around trauma healing. The Giant Sequoia (which also grows in groves!) has a small cone that needs a forest fire to open and release the seeds, which then grow from the burnt bare soil. In the same way, there is hope for people to experience life-giving posttraumatic growth.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), registered in the state of Oregon. My style is attachment-based, collaborative and compassionate, with a sense of humor and creativity. I desire to help nurture strong attachments in families and individuals, and support people in their paths toward healing and meaningful connection, whether this is with biological, foster/adoptive, or other “chosen” family and relationships. In addition, my work history entails over a decade of working with children/youth and families, ranging from empowering people on wilderness expeditions, working in the foster care system, residential facilities and in community mental health. I also have experience in hospice work around grief and loss. I am certified in EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), an evidence-based treatment for trauma, as well as, certified in foster and adoptive family therapy. I have additional training in internal family systems, sensorimotor psychotherapy, play and sand tray therapy, and collaborative problem solving.
I have experience working with people on different paths of life and with various needs (and specialize in those marked with an *), including but not limited to:
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PTSD or childhood traumatic stress*
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Foster care/adoption*
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Attachment injuries*
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Physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect, exposure to domestic violence*
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Generalized anxiety*
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Parenting skills, family roles/boundaries*
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Communication struggles*
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Grief and loss*
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Depression
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ADHD
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Chronic illness
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Social anxiety
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Stress management
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Gender identity exploration