Welcome, and thank you for your interest. I know that finding the right therapist is a challenge and the process of starting therapy can be daunting. This page shares a bit about my life, education, and practice to give you a brief introduction into who I am and what has shaped me as a therapist.

I was born in Romania and immigrated to the United States when I was 10 years old. Today, I consider myself bi-cultural as I don’t primarily identify as either Romanian or American. This place of in-between has been lonely at times but I have tried to draw strength from it and let it expand my perspective. Because I have often been in the margins, I can see things with fewer obstructions and am not invested in any particular ideologies. Having multiple perspectives without attachment to a certain truth provides me with a diverse skill set that I utilize in my practice.

I have always been passionate about helping others and knew that I wanted to go into a helping profession from childhood. My education in psychology began in 2009 at Portland State University. After obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree, I started working as a case manager for the Child Protective Services. While there, I saw the impact of childhood adversity and intergenerational trauma. I wanted to further my knowledge about family systems so I decided to pursue a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Lewis and Clark College. Following graduate school I completed a 2,400 hour residency in order to obtain my Marriage and Family Therapy License. I worked for Catholic Community Services, providing community-based therapy to children with intensive mental health symptoms as a result of childhood trauma. I enjoyed my role at CCS but wanted more experience working with adults so I transitioned to working at Western Psychological and Counseling Services. After becoming licensed, I started my own private practice, Life Mindfully Designed, and have been supporting people virtually throughout the pandemic. I really enjoy this work and joining people where they are at on their life journey.

In life I most enjoy laughing, traveling, and establishing meaningful connections. In the summer I like to hike, bike, and go for long drives. In the winter I like to read, write, and host dinner parties. Those who know me describe me as agreeable, dependable, and empathic. My life’s passion is helping people find their strengths and achieve their goals, which I approach with a warm and non-judgmental perspective. 

If you are interested in further exploring if I would be a good fit, I would love to schedule a free consultation to have a conversation about your needs and give you a chance to ask any questions you may have.

I welcome the opportunity to work together.