My Education and Training

I started working with teens in 2018, in a home-oriented residential treatment setting working with girls who were struggling to find permanency due to the lasting impacts of intensely traumatic experiences. During this time, I transitioned to additionally supporting the juvenile justice diversion program for teens with a variety of offenses. After three years in this setting (and loving it), I came to the conclusion that I loved working with teens and I wanted to support youth navigating this life stage. 

Adding to my undergraduate degree from Middlebury College, I pursued a foundation in psychology through Portland Community College. I then went on to receive my Master’s of Arts in Applied Child and Adolescent Psychology from the University of Washington. I completed my practicum at Ryther Mental Health Service, supporting the Attachment Support Group (for adoptive parents) and running two iterations of the Anger Management Group. I am currently completing a fellowship in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy at DBT Center of Tacoma with a focus on supporting those with Autism, ADHD, and trauma. 

My Approach

I approach my therapeutic work with an emphasis on relationship-building, playfulness, and understanding. In addition to assessing client challenges, I also dedicate time to exploring client interests, learning styles, and neurotype (ADHD/Autism). Treatment goals and structure is then created with client input and provided tailored to the client with integration of interests. I have been known to include comics, Pokemon cards, faith-values, Star Wars meditations, earring making, and game play videos, all in tandem with evidence- based practices.

Understanding is a core value for me and flows both ways. I value providing clients with psychoeducation tailored to their experience, such as how the brain is impacted by trauma or how ADHD impacts the brain and behavior - all with the goal of increasing client self-understanding. I also attempt to explain what I’m doing in treatment, so that clients can consent, understand the rationale, and replicate helpful interventions for themselves in the future. Furthermore, I attempt to understand, through robust assessment, the client’s experience and challenges. 

A typical session with me consists of agenda setting, done with collaboration between me and the client. A brief check in, assessing the past week. A treatment intervention fitting to the client: processing something from their week, learning a new skill, or reflecting on something from their past. Session typically concludes with a positive wrap-up activity of the client’s choice (game, info-dumping or interest sharing, or coloring). 

I aim to provide trauma-informed care which includes both an understanding of how trauma impacts the brain and body as well as the ongoing trauma of being in a marginalized community. I am committed to providing antiracist and anticolonial work which in my therapeutic work looks like acknowledging race-based traumatic stress, focusing on factors of resiliency, and decentering White-supremacist values. Identifying as Queer, it is important to me to provide therapy that is Queer and Trans-affirming, including support around gender identity exploration and transition work. Lastly, I attempt to challenge ableism throughout my work, and strive to provide neurodiverse affirming and accessible care.

More About Me

I spend my free time doing arts and crafts (recently I’m very into stained glass and collage), kayaking, and thrifting. I love listening to books on tape (fantasy and murder mystery) and watching TV shows and movies recommended by my clients.

What to Expect in an Initial Consultation With Brenna

I open my consultations to clients, parents, or clients and parents to join in together. During the 15 minutes we talk, I typically introduce myself and share about my therapeutic approach and then ask clients and parents to introduce themselves and share what they are looking for in a provider. I also like to learn more about clients and their specific interests. 

Next, I like to explore what is bringing a client to therapy and, after a very simplified assessment, share what my treatment approach might be so the client can determine their comfort and interest. If we both agree we’re a good potential fit, we go ahead and schedule our first session.