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Journey

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Education

     At the start of my education I placed my focus within the mental health and human services realm. I completed four different programs that focused on social services, mental health and women's growth and development. Throughout my years in training, I held multiple positions helping women and girls in areas such as pregnancy support and adoptions, parent education, psycho-education, mentorship, career development, empowerment, leadership and personal growth. My clinical training and experience encompass various social service and mental health degrees. These areas of coursework include:  human growth & development, psychology & counseling theories, individual & group therapy, spiritual & cultural diversity, addictions, case management, assessment, diagnosis & treatment, and ethics. I also received training and education in Traumatology, Grief and Loss, Body Image, Sandtray Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Psychosocial & Spiritual Caring which add to my skills as a mental health provider.

Qualifications

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Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 2017

​Bachelor's of Science Degree in Social Work, 2013

​Associate of Applied Sciences Degree in Mental Health and Human Services & Youth Worker Certificate, 2011; Transitions Program, 2009

Perinatal Mental Health-Certification, PSI

     

Training

     During my clinical work, I received extensive training as a Quality Mental Health Practitioner, working with a broad range of mental health challenges including anxiety and depression, addiction, self-harm and suicidal ideation. This training involved working with trauma, evaluating issues from multiple perspectives and practice collaboration and consultation with other practitioners. As someone who has experienced personal loss and has seen the effects of losing a loved one, I participated in various perinatal loss trainings. Additional training in pregnancy loss has further helped me to continue to support women who have experienced the loss of a child during any stage in pregnancy.  As a life long learner, my passion for working with moms broadens as I work toward certification in Maternal Mental Health through Postpartum Support International. Here at Belle Ame Therapy, I work to continue my training by expanding my education, coordinating care and connecting with other professionals that include psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, lactation specialists, doulas and other helping professionals in the field of perinatal mental health.

 

Training/Certifications

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  • Certification in Perinatal Mental Health, Postpartum Support International/ 2020 Mom.

  • Mastering Anxiety with Simple Evidence Based Techniques, Anxiety & Mindfulness Training, Certification through Evergreen

  • Perinatal Mental Health & Suicide, Maternal Mental Health Now

  • Suicide Prevention Training

  • Mindfulness:  An Introduction, Mindful Ecotherapy Center

  • Perinatal Loss- A Framework for Therapists, Bina Bird

  • Suicide Prevention 2020, Kaiser Permanente

  • Teletherapy for Perinatal Mental Health, Postpartum Support International

  • Becoming Us, Level I Professional Training, Elly Taylor

  • Postpartum Support International Conference, PSI

  • Certification in Adoptive & Foster Family Therapy, Portland State University & Oregon Department of Human Services

  • Trauma & Birth:  Multidisciplinary Approaches to Prevention & Healing, Perinatal Support Washington, 2019

  • Professional Maternal Mental Health Certificate Training, Postpartum Support International and 2020 Mom

  • Perinatal Bereavement for Psychotherapists Certificate, MommaCare TM, Dr. Deborah Rich

  • Maternal Mental Health 101, Postpartum Support International

  • Many Facets of Grief, Association for Humanistic Counseling

  • Mindfulness and Meditation, Mindfulness & Meditation Summit

  • Treating Trauma, NICABM 

  • HIPAA Compliancy, BBP Training, etc.

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In addition, I consistently strive to stay connected in the field and continue to build relationships with other experienced practitioners through affiliations and membership including, but not limited to the following organizations:

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Affiliations

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​Association for Humanistic Counseling, Member since 2018

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Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath and Death, Member since 2021

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NW Association for Death & Bereavement Support, Member since 2019

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Postpartum Support International, Member since 2018

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Want to know more? Click here and check out my About Me page.

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Portland therapist

     My journey to help others in health and wellness began over 20 years ago while caring for patients in the healthcare field and working in social services. I worked for years assisting women, men, children and families over various developmental stages. With the desire to help at a deeper level, I soon realized that I would need to further my education in order to expand my skills and transition into the field of mental health. Life as a mother, work as a student and experience as a clinician have given me valuable training and education that I may take with me into private practice and work as a therapist. As a woman, a mother of three and a previous mentor to other women, I continue to work to empower others and help them to identify changes that they can create for themselves, even in the face of adversity. The various roles that I have held have given me invaluable lessons that I am able to take with me into the therapy room and my work with clients. I look forward to helping you work through various challenges that come your way and get you to a place that brings you peace while living a  life you enjoy.

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
~Maya Angelou

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