A picture of one of the steps on my path to becoming a depth oriented psychotherapist.
Attending an exhibit in Santa Barbara of Carl Jung’s Red Book.
Why I Am a Depth-Oriented Psychotherapist
I am a depth-oriented psychotherapist because I have personally experienced the richness of the psyche and the unconscious in my own journey. My first introduction to the ideas of Joseph Campbell and Carl Jung came in high school, and I was immediately drawn to the power of myth and symbolism. That fascination has stayed with me throughout my life, deepening through personal experience, my own psychotherapy, study, and my work with clients.
Depth therapy speaks to me because it honors the complexity of the human experience—it doesn’t just aim to reduce symptoms but seeks to uncover meaning, transformation, and a deeper sense of self. I have seen how working with dreams, symbols, and unconscious patterns can bring profound insight and healing, and I am continually inspired by the ways the psyche communicates when we take the time to listen.
Healing comes through embodiment of the soul. - Marion Woodman
Oftentimes, the fact that we are able to hold hope—that there is a possibility of getting better—bodes well for the likelihood that we will get better. You want to heal. If we think of the ways in our life that are teleological, meaning like an acorn they hold the entire oak tree, holding within us the possibility of change means we are already changing.
I can recall times while camping and hiking, of lighting fires in the wet or cold, and seeing that first flash of ember forming, that initial spark hitting fine tinder. What a fragile time! The ember will grow into a fire with nurturing, attention, careful timing, and some magic.
Therapy is a place that can foster this process, a relational process that unfolds over time. Reach out, let’s talk about how therapy can help.
Therapy for Every Stage of Life
Whether you’re a child, teen, adult, or elder, therapy can help at different turning points—loss, trauma, depression, anxiety, identity shifts, relationship struggles, or deep inner work. During times of transition, we can feel overwhelmed, unsure of ourselves, disconnected, anxious, or depressed. Similarly, events in our life can push us into deeper waters, where we feel in over our head.
In my Portland-based practice, I see individuals across the lifespan, helping them understand unconscious patterns, integrate their experiences, and find a path toward healing. I also work with people experiencing extreme states, helping them ground and make sense of their inner world in a way that is non-pathologizing and honors their unique experience. For more information on Depth Psychotherapy and Jungian Play therapy for children, please see this post.
Honoring Your Identity & Story
Therapy is a space where all parts of you—your history, identity, and personal journey—are welcome. Whether you’re exploring personal identity, cultural background, or family dynamics, I believe healing happens when we honor the full complexity of who you are.
While I work with individuals, having this space for young people to engage in their own process with a trusted, unbiased person outside of the family can often strengthen family relationships.
Why Depth Therapy?
Beyond Symptom Relief In Portland, many people seek therapy not just to "fix" something but to go deeper, to understand themselves beyond surface-level suffering. Depth therapy explores unconscious patterns, symbols, and personal mythology, offering a more holistic approach to healing. Depth therapy recognizes the mind-body connection, integrating somatic and holistic approaches.
I integrate dream work, active imagination, and somatic awareness to help you connect with your deeper self. Dreams give us a “window on the soul,” bringing us to the core of emotional challenges, archetypal energies, and growing edges. Dreams reconnect us with the numinous aspects of life—the deep, mysterious, and meaningful currents that make us feel truly alive.
Process Arts for Healing—Even If You’re Not an Artist
Portland is a city that values creativity, but many people feel blocked when it comes to personal expression. Often these beliefs are formed very young and can interfere with a natural process due to influences from school or home dynamics that directly or indirectly stifled creativity.
In therapy, creativity isn’t about making “good art” or even producing a thing—it’s about accessing emotions and unconscious material through painting, movement, storytelling, or sandplay. Together, our work is guided without judgment to reconnect with the spontaneous and dynamic life force within you, whether through freeform art, guided imagery, or symbolic work in the sandtray, stories, and relatedness.
Why Sandtray is Perfect for Those Who Feel "Uncreative"
If talking about emotions feels difficult, sandtray therapy provides a nonverbal way to see and work with your inner world. Using miniatures and symbols in the sand, themes emerge naturally—allowing for deep transformation without needing the right words. This approach is especially powerful for children, teens, and adults who feel blocked in traditional talk therapy. Sandplay can help us open up and gently approach places that seem difficult to enter.
Finding a Therapist in Portland Who Honors Your Process
In a city with so many therapy options, it’s important to find a therapist who resonates with you. It should be someone you feel a connection with—although sometimes we don’t exactly know what that is, it can just feel right. While the 20-minute consultation is good for logistical questions, many clients find it helpful to have a first session to really see what it is like working with a therapist. You may also have questions about insurance, scheduling, and the nuts and bolts related to the therapeutic process. Your therapist should address these concerns, as well as confidentiality, privacy, and crisis resources, in your first session.
My work is relational, depth-oriented, and creative—designed for those who want more than just coping skills, but real transformation. With training in DBT and mindfulness-based stress reduction, we can definitely incorporate skills learning and resourcing as we go.
I offer in-person therapy in Portland, providing a grounded, intentional space for healing beyond screens. If you have questions about telehealth, please ask. At times, telehealth is an important tool for accessing therapy.