Hi, I’m Kim
...and Sadie Mae 🐶
I see myself as your trustworthy co-pilot and wholeheartedly believe you have the answers you need within yourself. I don't pretend to be the expert on you. You are!
Together, we’ll get to know and understand the cause of your pain, help to change your relationship to your symptoms, and work towards healing. I commit to being fully present with you every step along the way and to listen, support, challenge, provide information, identify and reinforce your strengths, offer alternatives and teach new skills. We’ll focus on getting to the roots of your struggles, while learning new, practical ways to improve daily life. All while using proven techniques and strategies that work.
My down-to-earth, compassionate approach (sprinkled with a healthy dose of humor) will create a safe, judgment-free space for you to do the work needed for growth and change. I will support and gently challenge you to embrace vulnerability by sharing your story of who you are with your whole heart.
Background
I’ve been lucky enough to work with infants to older adults to provide therapy and case management in homes, schools, primary care offices and community mental health agencies. For a good part of my career, I also worked as a supervisor then senior manager to create and oversee programs helping people heal from trauma.
Through all of this, I’ve come to appreciate and respect treatment approaches, called evidence-based models, that have been extensively researched and proven to be effective for treating trauma, depression and anxiety. I’ve received specialized training to provide treatment using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and found these used in combination to be a powerful approach for treating trauma, anxiety and depression. I'm grateful for all my education, training and experience in trauma-focused therapy approaches because it’s equipped me to hold a safe space for people to reprocess traumatic emotional wounds in a gentle, trusting environment. You will be amazed at how significantly your life can change when unhealed emotional wounds are given the tender care and attention they deserve.
On a more personal level, about a year ago I drove across country with my teen, her ferret and our pup to relocate from Portland, Maine to sunny San Diego. It was time for change and adventure! I am now licensed in both California and Maine.
Education
I was born and raised in Maine receiving my undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Maine. After college, I decided it was time to spread my wings a bit more and moved to Boston to work in a residential home for troubled teens. This reinforced my passion for helping others during times of great distress and furthered my interest to better understand the impact of trauma on peoples’ lives. In 1998, I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Boston College. I am a life long learner and am inspired to continue growing my knowledge and skills by engaging in specialized training. I am grateful to have found a career where my passion continues to burn bright and strong!