My Education and Training

I have a Master of Social Work from the University of Washington and a background that bridges community organizing and nonprofit work. My approach is informed by harm reduction principles, anti-capitalism and anti-racism, and deep care for and affinity with neurodivergent, disabled, and queer and trans people. In my work with youth and their families, I also draw on the tenets of non-coercive collaborative parenting, low demand parenting, youth liberation, and family systems theory.

My Approach

I understand the client-therapist relationship as the most important part of our work, and see my task as co-building a safe-enough container with you in which you can practice vulnerability, be honest and give feedback, take risks, and express yourself authentically. This means that if you’re struggling with people pleasing and denying your own needs, a therapeutic goal might be to give me feedback. If you’re struggling with school-related anxiety and avoidance, you might regularly choose to work on homework assignments during sessions. If you typically numb-out and disassociate to protect yourself, we might orient towards unfreezing and feeling into pain and hurt. Regardless of how our work together unfolds, I’ll move towards you with warmth and acceptance. On those days where you have no capacity or desire to “do” or “work on” anything, we can be together in those feelings with acceptance and curiosity. 

I frequently provide psychoeducation during sessions so clients can better understand and visualize things like autistic burnout symptoms, how avoidance increases anxiety symptoms, the impacts of trauma, their roles in their family system, how behavioral activation can reduce depressive symptoms, and much more. I often use visual (charts, wheels, cycles), auditory (discussion, role playing), written (psychoeducational writing, reflection prompts, fill-in-the-blank prompts), and kinesthetic (fidgets, walk-and-talk) learning approaches during session. I am always happy to adapt session format and content so that my approach meets clients’ accessibility needs.

More About Me

Outside of my work, I find meaning in making art, spending time with loved ones and in community, and being outdoors.

What to Expect in an Initial Consultation With Eden

During our 15-20 minute consultation call, which can take place virtually, over the phone, or in person, I’ll ask questions to get a sense of what brings you to seek therapy, past experiences with therapy, and what you’re looking for in a provider. It’s all about the feeling out the vibe: do we click enough to try things out? I’m open to any questions you may have during an initial call - or just show up, and I’ll facilitate. I always want to meet with the prospective client, and it is up to them if they would also like their caregiver(s) present.