Tell me more about yourself! 

​What has influenced you the most as a therapist?

I was a stay-at-home mom for many years, working at my children's school or doing medical transcription at home in order to be present and available for what was most important to me.  I was in my late 30's when I returned to college to complete my degree and start a career, and I feel it was one of the most pivotal moments in my life.

My husband and I are avid hikers, explorers, and creative spirits.  We are lovers of history and science, finding joy in experiencing these things on our adventures. I feel the most myself, the most serene and yet full of life pursuing my passions with the people I love.

Though I feel many aspects of my life have provided insight and empathy to my work as a therapist, one area stands out.  In my forties I sought out training with Brene Brown's organization and learned about vulnerability and authenticity.  This training not only influenced me personally, giving me the courage to make major changes in my own life, but it became a pivotal framework for how I shaped my practice as a therapist. I don't have all the answers.  I believe each of us holds the wisdom we need for our lives, but we often need a safe place and a safe person to help us find those answers. My life experiences and the people who have supported me, have allowed me the wisdom, empathy and insight I have needed (and continue to need) for the journey of relationships and life, and I have learned that the most important relationship we develop is the one we have with ourselves because it sets the stage for every other relationship we develop. I hold a deep desire for helping people sort through their own stories of love, loss, trauma, connection, forgiveness and becoming.  

I am passionate about my work.  I love when people cultivate intimate conversations with the intent of learning more about themselves and others.  I'm also acutely aware not everyone is comfortable with what some see as 'the mushy stuff.' When people say "I don't do feelings," I know there's some strong messages telling them vulnerability is weak or wrong, and that's where the work begins. 

Braving the wilderness of becoming our authentic selves isn't easy or comfortable, but I'm convinced true happiness isn't about being easy or comfortable. It's about being real, making peace with the stories of our life, and finding self-acceptance, which includes accepting an ongoing path of growth rather than believing in a quick fix or silver bullet answer.  Life is about implementing practices, listening to ourselves and being present in our relationships.    

I have strong guiding principles of diversity, openness, curiosity and inclusion that are rooted in my desire to embrace and celebrate work with clients having varying identifications, cultures, stories and belief systems.  Cultivating self-compassion, defining how to build trust in self and others in a way that helps delineate healthy boundaries, and reconciling fears of scarcity that tell us we aren't enough.... those are game changers in life, and I can't help but get excited when I see others do hard work in these areas and benefit from the process.