About Kristy

Licensed in California as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I am living in beautiful Portland Oregon. I work with Adults, adolescents and children. I offer sliding scale fees when needed and offer special rates to families raising a child with a disability. With adults and older teens I utilize spiritual inquiry, expressive arts and dream exploration as well as traditional insight oriented "talk therapy" on the journey of growth and transformation. Deep listening is healing.This is an invitation to access the wisdom and inner guidance that lives within each of us. For children (and the child within each of us) I have a delightful sand tray and toys that aide expression and healing.

My training as a therapist offers a unique orientation to psychology that values imagination, expressive art therapy, and diverse wisdom traditions as tools for growing and transformation. My work as a "Soulfriend" is sometimes described as melange of counseling, life coaching and spiritual direction. I am known for my wisdom, warmth and humor. My clinical work is based on an integration of postmodern, solution-focused, humanistic, cognitive behavioral orientations and family systems theory.<--!break-->

My other work: I have spent over 15 years as a Sexuality Educator designing Sex-Positive queer-friendly trainings for teens and adults. I continue to direct theater that honor Women's voices. I have led mother-daughter workshops for 16 years celebrating puberty and adolescent life stages. These are powerful, full of laughter and very necessary if you are raising a daughter (see workshop menu) I am a skilled and creative group facilitator. I will work with you to form a group when you are ready. I also work with women to co-create meaningful rituals to mark significant life changes such as menopause, promises to self, career changes, child birth and loss and joy recovery.

I offer many years as a seeker of divine wisdom and transformational practices. My teachers have been many: from Christian and Sufi Mystics & Poets and Carl Jung, to the scriptures written in Nature. My favorite teacher, mentor and Soul Friend is Even Hodkins who lives in the Rocky Mountains and has many titles, Celtic Bard, being one of them. You can find his “School of Alchemy” , Evan’s upcoming Portland Playshops and other info about him on this site. He is also available for telephone "Soul Friend" sessions.

Other qualifications and experiences that I value:
· I have extensive experience working with powerful adolescents and their parents
· I am trained in working with adult sexuality issues
· GLBTQ friendly, I especially enjoy helping lesbian couples with parenting issues
· I have raised a child born with Down Syndrome who tells me “I am happy because I love myself” which gives me an abundance of wisdom regarding children with ADD,ADHD and other learning challenges.
· And Tourettes! I love kids and adults with this “syndrome” – you should see our family reunions!
· I have a teaching credential that I used for 15 years as a Sexuality Educator for Planned Parenthood
· I want to be a laughter therapy trainer when I grow up!
· I have lived in the Wilderness for many years and learned more in that school than in any other
· I have studied herbs and natural healing for 7 years for my family’s health.
· As a part-time College Instructor in Psychology, I have recently taught experiential and dynamic courses on Personal Growth and Development

• Facilitator/Trainer: I am well known as a Parent-daughter communication workshop facilitator for puberty age girls and older teens. Please see my "Workshop" page on this website. I have presented at national conferences as a Sexuality Educator, leading groups, exploring gender, sexuality and healthy relationships. I am a regular guest speaker for teachers-in-training on Inclusion and how to work with families who have children with disabilities. I have presented training to teachers and counselors on Sexual Harassment, Pregnancy and HIV Prevention and Teen Dating Violence. I have co-designed and facilitated 3 day retreats addressing Gender Issues in Men and Women Relationships that integrate ritual and community building.

• Celebrations & Rituals: I offer guidance in creating meaningful celebrations and rituals to mark life’s important passages. This is a three part process including a sacred period of preparation, gathering community and finally, creating the ceremony. For Women is important to mark passages such as menarche, menopause, career changes, partnerships beginning or ending, children leaving home, becoming a Grandmother, and when significant promises to Self are being made.

• Background: Originally from Seattle, I moved to the southern edge of the Pacific Northwest where I lived for thirty years in and near Arcata California. I have over 20 years combined experience as an educator, parent, and therapist.

  I invite you to call and explore with me what you are hoping for. I routinely offer a free consultation in my office or by phone where we can bless each other and begin moving towards health and joy. I promise to make our first conversation fruitful and easy and look forward to speaking with you.