Counseling Services
Explore mental health counseling options
Life is for living.
Our environment shapes us.
Our minds and bodies are our constant companions.
You deserve to live in a space where you can feel at home and at ease.
Calm, peace, connection- whatever words personally define a fulfilling relationship with yourself that allows you to connect with others shifts how we move through life. I provide mental health counseling to adults in my office and outdoors in Boise or virtually across Idaho via telehealth.
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Does it feel like you are doing too much and somehow still aren’t enough?
You try your best, to be a good everything (parent, partner, employee, sibling, etc.). You’re left feeling guilt, shame, and just stuck. It can feel so overwhelming, like you are constantly moving and never getting anywhere.A lot of variables can lead us to this space- past trauma, current stressors, people-pleasing, anxiety, perfectionism, self-criticism, a lack of purpose, etc. I’m here to help you find your way back to yourself and to a place where you have the mental capacity to live in alignment with your values.
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In my work with couples, I help to provide a safe space to slow down and connect. Together we will clarify what you value as a couple, identify and work through barriers to engaging with one another how you want to, and work towards building and/or strengthening the connection that you both want.
To accomplish this we will utilize Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, as well as The Gottman Method.
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When appropriate, I am happy to integrate walk-and-talk therapy outdoors. While talk therapy is the main objective, integrating nature can enhance therapeutic progress. For some individuals sitting indoors across from someone is not as helpful as incorporating movement. Exposure to nature and movement can positively impact mental health as well.
The Process
Curious about the methodology behind counseling?
While there are a multitude of different theories and types of counseling, below are the approaches that I most frequently integrate into my counseling depending on what is most helpful for each client.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy that helps people handle difficult thoughts and emotions more effectively instead of fighting, avoiding, or trying to eliminate them. The goal is to build a meaningful life while making room for normal human pain and stress.
ACT is based on the idea that emotional suffering often becomes worse when people get stuck trying to control thoughts, feelings, or memories that cannot be fully controlled. Rather than asking, “How do I get rid of anxiety or sadness?” ACT asks, “How can I live well even when difficult emotions are present?”
Key parts of ACT include:
Acceptance — learning to allow uncomfortable thoughts and feelings without struggling against them.
Cognitive defusion — noticing thoughts as mental events (“I’m having the thought that…”) instead of treating them as absolute truths.
Mindfulness and present-moment awareness — paying attention to what is happening right now with openness and curiosity.
Values clarification — identifying what truly matters most, such as relationships, growth, kindness, health, or purpose.
Committed action — taking practical steps toward those values, even when emotions are difficult.
ACT does not aim to make people “feel positive all the time.” Instead, it helps increase psychological flexibility — the ability to stay connected to the present moment and act in ways that align with personal values, even during stress or emotional pain.
ACT is commonly used to support people experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, chronic pain, stress, substance use issues, and many other mental health challenges.
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured, evidence-based form of psychotherapy that helps people develop skills to manage intense emotions, improve relationships, tolerate distress, and respond more effectively to challenging situations.
Core Principles
DBT combines:
Acceptance – Acknowledging thoughts, feelings, and experiences without judgment.
Change – Learning practical strategies to modify unhelpful behaviors and improve emotional well-being.
The term "dialectical" refers to balancing two seemingly opposite ideas, such as accepting oneself while also working toward positive change.
Four Core Skill Modules
Mindfulness
Paying attention to the present moment.
Observing thoughts and emotions without immediately reacting.
Building awareness and reducing impulsive responses.
Distress Tolerance
Coping with crises without making the situation worse.
Using healthy coping strategies during periods of intense emotional distress.
Accepting difficult circumstances when they cannot immediately be changed.
Emotion Regulation
Identifying and understanding emotions.
Reducing emotional vulnerability.
Increasing positive emotional experiences.
Responding to emotions in effective ways.
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Communicating needs clearly.
Setting healthy boundaries.
Managing conflict.
Maintaining self-respect while strengthening relationships.
Goals of DBT
DBT aims to help individuals:
Reduce self-destructive or impulsive behaviors.
Improve emotional regulation.
Increase distress tolerance.
Build healthier relationships.
Develop mindfulness and self-awareness.
Create a life that aligns with their personal values and goals.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented form of therapy that helps people understand how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influence one another. The basic idea is that unhelpful thinking patterns can contribute to emotional distress and unhealthy behaviors, and that learning new ways of thinking and responding can improve mental health.
CBT focuses on identifying patterns such as negative self-talk, distorted thinking, avoidance, or unhelpful behaviors that may keep people stuck. Clients learn practical skills to challenge these patterns and replace them with more balanced, realistic, and effective ways of coping.
Key parts of CBT include:
Identifying thoughts and beliefs — noticing automatic thoughts and core beliefs that affect mood and behavior.
Challenging unhelpful thinking patterns — examining whether thoughts are accurate, helpful, or based on assumptions.
Behavioral change — practicing healthier behaviors, problem-solving skills, and coping strategies.
Skill-building and practice — using exercises both in and outside of therapy sessions to apply new skills in daily life.
CBT is typically structured, collaborative, and focused on present-day challenges and achievable goals. Therapists often use worksheets, journaling, behavioral exercises, and skill practice to help reinforce learning.
CBT is commonly used to treat anxiety, depression, stress, trauma-related symptoms, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, insomnia, substance use issues, and many other mental health concerns. The goal is to help clients develop healthier thinking patterns, improve emotional regulation, and respond to challenges more effectively.
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The Gottman Method is a research-based form of couples therapy developed by John Gottman and Julie Gottman. It is designed to help couples strengthen their relationship by improving communication, managing conflict more effectively, and increasing emotional connection.
The Gottman Method is based on decades of research studying how couples interact and what patterns contribute to healthy, lasting relationships. The approach emphasizes that conflict is normal in relationships; the goal is not to eliminate disagreements, but to handle them in healthier and more respectful ways.
Key ideas in the Gottman Method include:
Building friendship and emotional connection — increasing trust, affection, appreciation, and understanding between partners.
Improving communication — learning skills for listening, expressing needs clearly, and responding with empathy rather than criticism or defensiveness.
Managing conflict — recognizing unhealthy patterns such as criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling, and replacing them with healthier interactions.
Creating shared meaning — helping couples develop common goals, values, rituals, and a sense of partnership.
Strengthening positive interactions — increasing moments of connection, support, humor, and affection in daily life.
The Gottman Method often uses practical exercises, structured conversations, and relationship-building tools that couples can practice both in and outside of therapy sessions. It is commonly used with couples experiencing communication difficulties, recurring conflict, trust issues, life transitions, or emotional disconnection.
Insurance Coverage
I am in-network with the insurance companies listed below.
Coverage varies greatly between plans. I do not check benefits for clients, so it is your responsibility to know what your plan covers and what your portion of the cost is. If you plan to use insurance, please call your insurance company and inquire about your insurance benefits prior to our first appointment. If insurance declines to cover your visit(s) for any reason, you are responsible for the full fee for the service(s) rendered.
If you do not see your insurance plan listed, you can see if your insurance plan offers out-of-network benefits, which means you can submit statements to your insurance for potential reimbursement. If you have any questions about your out-of-network benefits, please contact your insurance company directly.
Fees and Payment
in order to secure an appointment, we will need to have a form of payment on file. Check, cash, debit/credit cards, and HSA/FSA cards are all accepted as a form of payment.
Individuals
Initial Assessment (clinical hour): $210
Follow-up sessions (clinical hour): $180
Couples
Initial Assessment (clinical hour): $210
Follow-up sessions (clinical hour): $180
Reduced-Fee Services
Accessible mental health care is very important to me. I reserve some reduced-fee spots for low-income individuals with financial need. Please disclose you are seeking a reduced fee slot when you make your first contact and I will let you know if one is available. My reduced-fee rate is $70 per hour. I understand that this still may be inaccessible and will work with you to ensure that we can find you access to care.