About Me

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A lil about Tammy as a person

Tammy feels as if she has a rich and blessed personal life. She is happily married and has a blended family with six adult children, three grandchildren, 4 dogs, 2 cats!

Tammy's upbringing in rural Iowa has shaped her in many ways. Growing up as the youngest of eight siblings, she learned the importance of resilience, adaptability, and forging her own path. Living outside the box has become a defining characteristic of her life, and she embraces challenges with enthusiasm often encouraging her clients to do the same. 

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Professionally

Tammy attended Upper Iowa University for her BS in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. Later she earned her Masters in Mental Health at Drake University. She then got her license to practice mental health in Iowa. Several years later she got licensed in Alaska.

 

Tammy's Heart

When it comes to her professional work, Tammy has a special place in her heart for clients who have experienced trauma. It's no surprise considering her deep love for the EMDR technique, which she learned a long time ago. Tammy can geek out about EMDR all day long and it's for a good reason. It's a game-changer...for real.  

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What is EMDR?

EMDR, short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is an evidence-based technique that Tammy swears by. She's witnessed firsthand how it can truly transform lives right before her eyes. It's like magic! Sound too good to be true, look and read about it. You too will be amazed. 

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A bit about working with couples

While some therapists may shy away from couples counseling, Tammy embraces it with open arms. In fact, she thrives on the drama, dynamics, and challenges that come with working with couples.

Tammy's passion for helping couples stems from her belief that strong, healthy relationships are the foundation of a fulfilling life. She understands that navigating the complexities of a partnership can be tough, after all she experienced a divorce and has been remarried,  so she's lived it all...the good, the bad and the ugly. 

To enhance her skills in couples counseling, Tammy has undergone extensive training. She's completed Gottman Couples Levels 1 and 2, which are highly regarded programs in the field. These trainings have equipped her with valuable tools and techniques to help couples build stronger connections and resolve conflicts.

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Let's talk about sex

Tammy has also received specialized training in the delicate topics of sex and intimacy. She is a trained sex counselor. She can and will ask difficult and uncomfortable questions that come with talking about sex. (Just ask her family) 

She understands these aspects of a relationship can be sensitive and complex, and she's committed to creating a safe space for couples to explore and address these issues. Tammy's interest in working with individuals with sex issues probably comes from her very first counseling job working with adolescent sex offenders, then working with children who were sexually abused which prompted her to work within forensic interviewing with kids who were sexually abused. This type of work was mentally challenging and she decided to incorporate it within the frame works of couples and this is now her newest passion. 

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