Throughout the 17 years I have been a therapist, I continually grow in my love for this work. I am in awe of the profound healing nature that each of us carry. My hope is that our work together supports you in coming home to your essential wholeness, where all parts of you are included and embraced. Whether it’s couples counseling or individual therapy you are looking for, my hope is to create an inclusive, safe, and supportive environment to promote your personal goals and healing.

I have worked in a variety of mental health settings in Minnesota and Washington since I graduated with an MSW degree in 2007. Upon graduating I worked at a community mental health clinic for three years where I had the opportunity to provide therapy to children, adolescents, families, couples, and individuals with diverse needs. I left the community mental health clinic to work for the Domestic Abuse Intervention Program (DAIP) where I facilitated mens groups for 10 years. As a facilitator I worked with feminist frameworks to support men in unpacking toxic masculinity, power and control. With DAIP I also trained facilitators internationally in the Duluth Model approach to domestic violence intervention.

During this time I also worked at University of Minnesota Duluth as a therapist for students facing myriad mental health concerns. I taught as an adjunct professor at the College of St. Scholastica School of Social Work for 5 years where I trained MSW students to become clinical therapists.

One of my favorite professional experiences was administering the Intercultural Development Index (IDI) at University of Minnesota Duluth. As an administer of IDI I had the fortune to work with groups to support intercultural capacity and connection building. I feel passionately that connection across cultures is critical to community safety, empowerment, and thriving.

In 2019 I moved to the West coast to be closer to family and continue my passion in supporting people on their journeys of healing through therapy. I began training as an EMDR therapist with EMDRIA, and today am a Certified EMDR Therapist. With this certification I am held to the most advanced standard of EMDR therapy by the EMDRIA board. I have found EMDR to be revolutionary in my work with clients.

In addition to EMDR, I have trained with Steve Hoskinson and Organic Intelligence. Organic intelligence is an integrated, trauma-safe therapy modality that emphasizes "what works", as opposed to what seems broken.

Today I offer virtual therapy sessions from my home office in Bellingham, WA.

I look forward to connecting with you!

My goal is to support you in connection; connection to yourself, those you love, and our world.

Safety is the foundation of connection. Like roots of a tree, our sense of safety is essential to fostering new growth.

I practice a holistic approach to psychotherapy that integrates various evidence-based approaches to support you on your journey.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a type of therapy that supports individuals in healing emotional distress associated with disturbing life experiences.

EMDR is an evidence-based practice used to treat trauma and help facilitate the brain's natural healing processes. During a traumatic or stressful event, our brain does not process information as it normally would. Instead, information can get stuck or stored in the brain along with the body and may impact us. The old stored information can be triggered in the present and can cause you to have thoughts, feelings, or bodily sensations that transport you back to the time the trauma occurred. This affects the way a person sees the world and how they relate with others. EMDR uses eye movements (similar to what occurs during REM sleep) to help facilitate information processing and relieve the effects of trauma and the accompanying negative beliefs.

Following a successful EMDR session, you will still remember what happened, but you will not be overwhelmed when recalling the painful memories of the incident. This allows you to create new adaptive networks that strengthen your innate process of emotional regulation.

I am a board certified EMDR therapist through the EMDRIA. This implies the highest level of advanced training in EMDR.

EMDR

Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapies acknowledge an innate body-mind connection and promote embodiment, expression, and empowerment through specific practices.

Working with our bodies in psychotherapy expands our conscious awareness about self, other, and environment. As our awareness grows, we open new doors of possible connection and have the opportunity to free ourselves from habitual patterns that may no longer serve us.

The goal of our therapy is healing through connection. Relational Cultural Therapy (RCT) illustrates how a healthy and supportive therapeutic relationship can promote empathy, empowerment, and fulfillment in relationships outside of therapy.

RCT recognizes that much of our suffering is a byproduct of disconnection.

The theory behind this approach centers around positive interpersonal factors such as growth-fostering relationships and mutual empathy as well as cultural factors that facilitate validation and empowerment for marginalized populations. The approach seeks to reduce sources of individual isolation and social injustice, such as racism, classism, and homophobia, which contribute to chronic disconnection.

Relational-Cultural Therapy

CALL TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION WITH JON TODAY

(360)-230-8230