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I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in private practice since 1998. I graduated from Portland State University with a Master of Social Work Degree in 1992. As a graduate student I not only studied group therapy with the intent to understand and lead group dynamics, I also participated, as a group member, in group therapy. I believe strongly in the importance of group therapists doing personal work in group so they understand the experience from the inside out.

Of particular importance to my growth as a therapist, I believe, has been my dedicated practice of Zen Buddhism since 2002. I am a daily meditator who also teaches meditation to interested clients. Although I do no formal teaching of Buddhism, Buddhist Psychology informs my understanding of human suffering and solutions for living a joyful life. Some of my groups do incorporate mindfulness and meditation practice and I hold day long meditation retreats with certain groups as well. As a student of zen, I participate in silent meditation retreats, lasting three to ten days in length, as many as four times a year. I am also a student of Jon Kabat-Zinn Ph.D., having completed a seven day intensive training with him in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).