DESCRIPTION OF CLINICAL PRACTICE
Much of my clinical practice has taken the form of end of life care with older adults and their families, working with issues of death and dying, grief and bereavement. I have been practicing in this work beginning in hospice since 1981. This ultimately led me to return to school to complete a second Masters Degree - in Counseling Psychology, with a focus in body-oriented psychotherapy. My passion is meeting people where they are and midwife-ing them through the next transition in their lives. With compassionate presence, mindful awareness, attention to breath and bodily sensation, I accompany my clients as they journey through both the depths of emotional turmoil and ecstatic joy and all the terrain between. While my education and training are in Somatic Psychotherapy I draw on many models to address the issues my clients bring to me.

I also have a passion for being in nature and accompanying, witnessing and supporting others as they discover a deeper connection with themselves and the earth in the wild.


VIPASSANA/MEDITATION BACKGROUND
I came to Vipassana Meditation through my work in hospice, when I began going to Stephen Levine’s retreats in the early 80’s. Over the years I have participated in over 10 residential retreats with Stephen and Ondrea Levine, and many more day-longs. Residential retreats and day-longs with other teachers I’ve participated in include Julie Wester, James Baraz, Sylvia Boorstein, Jack Kornfield, Phillip Moffitt, Carol Wilson, Sally Armstrong, Ahjan Amoro, Debra Chamberlain-Taylor and others at Spirit Rock. In 2003 I sat with Ahjan Amoro for a 10-day Forest Monastery Retreat. In 2009 I sat for the February Month-long retreat at Spirit Rock. I have a regular mindfulness meditation practice that I have been doing for many years.


RELEVANT CLINICAL TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
My clinical work is grounded in an integration of spiritual practice and Somatic Psychotherapy. I received my Masters in Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies in 2000; did my clinical training at the Center for Somatic Psychotherapy and at the Pacific Institute; and have been licensed since 2008. In addition, I have completed the Hakomi Professional Skills Training Program. My earlier academic work includes a Master’s in Education and Anthropology from Harvard University and an undergrad degree in Human Resource Development for Social Change; this focus continues to inform my work today.