Hi, I'm Abby.
I work with individuals and couples who feel disconnected and want to feel more connected to themselves and the people they love. If something in this feels familiar, I invite you to keep reading to learn more about me and my work.
Background & Qualifications
Professional Experience
I spent seven years working as an elementary school teacher before realizing how much I cared about helping people build confidence, resilience, and stronger relationships, which led me to pursue a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. I now work in private practice in Richland, WA, where I see clients and support them in navigating challenges, deepening self-understanding, and building more meaningful and secure connections in their lives.
Education & Credentials
I hold a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University and am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (LMFTA) in Washington State (License MFTA.MG.70093918). I practice under the supervision of Dennis Eames, MS, LMFT.
I have completed additional training in Emotionally Focused Therapy, including the Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Externship and Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy Essentials. Emotionally Focused Therapy is a well-researched, evidence-based approach that helps individuals and couples understand patterns, process emotions, and build more secure, lasting connections.
My Counseling Approach
Relational & Attachment-Based
We all carry pieces of our past into how we see ourselves and how we relate to others. In our work, we slow things down and look closely at what’s happening between you and the people you care about. As things begin to make more sense, you can start to feel more steady, more at ease, and more connected to yourself and others.
Emotionally Focused
Meaningful change begins when you can understand and experience what’s happening inside you. In our work, we take the time to gently explore those emotions in a way that feels safe and supported, so you can begin to move through what’s been weighing on you and feel more connected in your life and relationships.
Care That Feels Genuine
I care deeply about the people I work with, and I bring that care into every part of our work together. I show up not just as a therapist, but as someone who is truly with you in what you’re going through. You’ll be met with warmth, curiosity, and respect as we make sense of things together, and I’ll stay with you through the hard and uncertain moments while also recognizing the growth that’s happening along the way.
The Heart of My Work
I’m curious about what lives beneath the surface. The feelings we cannot quite name, the patterns we keep finding ourselves in, and the parts of us that simply want to be understood. I believe being truly seen and known can be deeply healing. That belief is at the heart of how I work.
The Person Behind the Practice
I’ve always been someone who cares deeply about people and the relationships in our lives. Some of my favorite moments are the really ordinary ones: sitting on the porch with my husband after the kids are in bed, watching the sunset and talking about everything and nothing; being at the park with my family and taking a moment to slow down, take it all in, and really feel how grateful I am for the life we’ve created; or spending intentional time with friends, having silly conversations, asking deep questions, and laughing along with whatever is happening in the group chat. My people mean the world to me, and I think there is something really special about the people who know you well, let you be completely yourself, and keep showing up through all the different seasons of life.
I’m curious by nature and love good conversations, meaningful books, hearing people’s stories, and understanding what makes people who they are. I also feel things deeply, which has taught me the value of slowing down, listening, and being truly present with someone. I’m still figuring things out myself, too. I don’t have life perfectly figured out, and I don’t expect anyone else to either. I value honesty, growth, curiosity, and being willing to look at ourselves with both compassion and courage. Those values naturally come with me into the therapy room. I don’t want to show up as someone who has all the answers. I want to show up as myself: curious, genuine, present, and really there with you.