About Pat 

Education and Credentials

  • Graduated June 1994 from George Fox University (formerly Western Evangelical Seminary)

    • Master of Arts Degree in Christian Counseling Psychology                   My degree had the comprehensive Counseling Psychology courses with additional theological course work, qualifying me to counsel from a Christian perspective if clients request.

  • National Certified Counselor (NCC)
  • Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Washington State

Experience

While I began my private practice in January of 1995, I continued volunteer counseling at William Temple House in Northwest Portland.  In 1996, I was asked to develop a Play Therapy component for the Family Treatment Program at William Temple House.  There, I worked with children and did “Becoming a Love & Logic Parent” classes and Filial Therapy Parent Training groups until fall 2002.

I consider all I’ve learned through the varied experiences of my life to be the enrichment part of my counselor training.  A measure of humility and wisdom coming with advancing age!  I have over 30 year’s ministry experience in helping people in Church settings, 27 years of that as a Pastor’s wife.  Prior to becoming a counselor, I worked as a bank teller.  My husband and I have been married for 48 years.  We have a grown daughter and son, and four grandchildren ages 18, 15, 5 and newborn! We have faced many challenges in life.  I can readily affirm that the joys and sorrows of life both have much to teach us.

Specialized Training

I continue to develop my professional skills through study, workshops, and seminars as part of my accountability to professional standards and licensure requirements.  Over the past 16 years, I’ve had specialized training in Play Therapy, Sandtray, Depression, Anxiety, Attachment and Child Development, Trauma and Abuse Recovery, PTSD, and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

I am trained in using Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Prepare/Enrich for relationship counseling, and Roberts Apperception Test for Children.

I attend monthly counselor groups for Play Therapy and EMDR.  As a “life-long learner” my reading passion and interest is mostly in human development, relationships, and brain function and development.

Professional Memberships

American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), Charter Member
Association of Play Therapists, National and Oregon Chapter (APT)  (ORAPT)

Approach to Counseling

There is always hope. . . and there’s help for healing!

My role as a counselor is much like that of a coach or facilitator.  My approach is client-centered.  The goal is to assist clients in better understanding their situation, to help them gain insight for their behavior and emotional responses, and to give guidance and support in the process of change and growth.

I like my work with clients to be collaborative, and I encourage clients to let me know if they are ever uncomfortable about anything I say or recommend.  Client growth is sometimes assisted with meaningful homework assignments, reading, and listening to audio or video tapes.

I view each client as a unique individual.  In making assessments, I consider the whole person:  physical, psychological (mental/emotional), social, and spiritual.  I am, however, comfortable counseling clients who do not want a spiritual focus.  If clients request, I can use suitable Bible verses and prayer.  My desire is to help people and I want to do all I can to help my clients reach their goals.

Human Development over the life-span forms the theoretical basis for my counseling.  I choose methods or techniques from various counseling approaches, based on client need and fit.  These include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Anxiety, Stress, and Trauma Management Skills; Psychodynamic; Supportive; Solution Focused; Positive Psychology; Communication Skills; Imago Relationship Therapy; family systems and family of origin work; EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing); Play Therapy; and Sandtray.  But the most important element in my clients getting the help they need is the client/counselor relationship that develops as we meet together.


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