about

Jonathan is a Licensed Social Worker in WA State. He received his Master’s Degree in Social Work from Portland State University in 2010, but has worked in social services since 2004. His experience in palliative care began with a position with Hospice starting in 2014; a position that he maintains today. Jonathan lives with his spouse and mother on Lopez island. His family has chosen to live inter-generationally and is highly focused on building and maintaining community. Jonathan’s father-in-law also lives on the island and his sister lives in Anacortes with her spouse and children.

Before beginning a career with Hospice, Jonathan worked mostly with children, youth and families in several challenging but fulfilling positions including work with adolescents in rehabilitation following a crime in youth, young men experiencing debilitating mental health issues, in child protective services, and as an intensive family therapist for children and youth whom were in threat of becoming institutionalized.

In his role as medical social worker Jonathan works with adults, our elders, and those with disability experiencing major life transitions.  While “medical” social work is not an official WA specialty, years of working with doctors and registered nurses on patient health care needs has afforded him experience in various medical conditions, common medications for both physical and mental health, and some functional information about navigating our healthcare system and care needs.

As a counselor, Jonathan works with adults experiencing short-duration crisis or major life transitions, grief and/or loss, or those seeking goal oriented self-improvement. Interventions are meant to stabilize the client and allow them to discover their path forward. Key components to this process are Jonathan’s commitment to non-judgmental practice, harm reduction when appropriate, equity and systems-based thinking, and general openness to whom we have been and who we hope to become.

Jonathan is an ally and is committed to the health and happiness of our LGBTQ community, considers himself a feminist, but is a White Cis man and understands the great privilege this affords him; with that privilege comes the responsibility to proceed with kindness, generosity, respect, and a commitment to lifelong learning.