Combining Psychotherapy and Nutrition Strategies to
​ Support Mental Health

As a psychotherapist and certified nutritionist educated at Bastyr University, I have been trained in and influenced by evidence-based approaches focusing on the integration of mind, body, and spirit. My dual credentials enable me to bring a unique expertise to my clients as we explore the dynamic relationship between nutrition and mental health.

Psychotherapy

I provide one-on-one individual counseling to adults in my office located in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood (currently all sessions are remote due to COVID).  A large portion of my practice is dedicated to individuals who are challenged by difficult childhood circumstance, anxiety, depression, grief/loss, and challenging family relationships. My therapeutic approach is heavily influenced by Mindfulness, Lifespan Integration, Buddhist Psychology, and Existentialism.  Mindfulness, present moment awareness without judgment, is a potent orientation that can reduce suffering by providing tools to meet life’s inevitable challenges (loss, impermanence, uncertainty) with open-hearted curiosity and grace rather than just coping via distraction and suppression. My dedication to Mindfulness is grounded in a 30-year Vipassana meditation practice. The main approach I use to address trauma is Lifespan Integration (learn more here).  This gentle body-based approach can help you heal from past distressing or traumatic life experiences (e.g., childhood abuse or neglect, toxic relationships, painful losses) without re-traumatizing. Using Lifespan Integration, these memories are retained but the searing and intrusive qualities of the memories tend to be neutralized.  

Nutrition Strategies

Depending upon your needs and interest, we can explore nutritional strategies as an adjunct to psychotherapy. What you eat, how you eat, why you eat, and when you eat can have a significant impact on your mental health. Consistently providing your body with the building blocks needed to synthesize neurotransmitters in the brain and gut, to promote optimal brain and metabolic function, and to reduce inflammation are important non-pharmaceutical strategies to reduce the symptoms of many challenging conditions such as depression, anxiety, grief, and insomnia.  Using a whole foods approach, we can explore ways to use food as medicine by giving your body what it needs (e.g., healthy fats, nutrients, and bioactive compounds) to be supported, to heal, and to flourish.