About Me

I was born and raised in Colorado. The mountains and the outdoors have always been a big part of my life, which is one reason I decided to move to Oregon. My wife and I have one child, and we enjoy sharing the outdoors together and doing all the other fun things that Portland has to offer. Besides hiking and camping, I have many hobbies and a variety of interests, including art history, architecture, woodworking, hunting, fly-fishing, bicycling, canoeing, gardening, and mushroom hunting. I decided to go to graduate school in Denver to study my 2 interests at that time: psychology and spirituality. I enjoy traveling and studying other cultures and especially art and architecture. Recently I have been exploring evolutionary psychology, which has expanded my knowledge and understanding of human behavior. My experiences form the background I draw from when trying to help people who come to me with emotional or personal difficulties. Being able to help people is extremely rewarding and humbling at the same time. My pronouns are he/him/his.

About my practice

I am a generalist therapist and have been practicing psychotherapy for almost 20 years. I have been at Kaiser Permanente since 2010. I provide evidence-based care to a wide range of people from all different backgrounds, and I treat everyone equitably and fairly. I believe that everyone deserves to be treated with respect, consideration, and professionalism. I have been trained in treating anxiety, depression, trauma and suicide prevention and would describe my treatment approach as "enhanced cognitive therapy." I incorporate traditional cognitive behavioral therapy techniques and include discussions about neurobiology and physiology, mindfulness, acceptance, and compassion. A patient may be referred to a psychiatrist or an intensive therapy program for further support if needed. Therapy begins as a collaborative process with a conversation about what problems a person would like help with, what their therapy goals are, and how therapy can best help with achieving them. These goals are referred to frequently as therapy progresses and as the patient perceives how well their therapy sessions are going. This is known as feedback-informed care, or FIC, and it includes taking an assessment before every session.

How I thrive

Like many Oregonians, I am an outdoor enthusiast! I have tried mountaineering, rock climbing, bicycling, fishing, mushrooming hunting, stargazing, boating, kayaking, etc. These days my activities are centered around hiking and fly-fishing, as I don't have the stamina for the more rigorous activities I took part in in my college years. I believe in "nature therapy" and encourage everyone to spend more time with nature — whether it be on top of a mountain, going for walks, or taking care of houseplants. Other activities I enjoy are spending time with family and friends and challenging my mind by playing board games and cards.