My career in this field started in inpatient behavioral health after receiving my bachelor’s degree in psychology. There was something so powerful and important in supporting someone who’s just been through a major mental health crisis and are potentially starting their journey to healing in the hospital. It was through this work that I realized my passion to serve others, and feel so lucky to be able to do so as a therapist. I have been working in the field of mental health for over 10 years, both in inpatient behavioral health before becoming a therapist and a little over 4 years in community mental health agency work.

My approach is primarily trauma-informed and person-centered. Childhood trauma can have a profound impact on someone the rest of their lives, impacting relationships, physical health, and mental health. By addressing past traumatic experiences through shifting negative core beliefs, we can heal more fully in the present. I feel passionate about serving those with attachment-based traumas. Above all, stable and consistent connection for someone with an attachment-based trauma can make all the difference in the world. I also believe that there is great power in holding a space for someone to feel heard and understood, as many folks do not have that safe space with anyone in their life. In addition to being trauma-informed and person-centered, I draw from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectal behavioral therapy (DBT), as well as solution-focused therapy, and am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I also have experience working with folks with substance use challenges. I find that substances can often be what someone turns to when they don’t have the tools and support they need to manage the mental health challenges they are facing, and this can be particularly true for folks that have experienced trauma.

I work with adults doing individual therapy. I find that rapport building is the most important part of therapy, especially for someone that has experienced trauma and has a hard time trusting someone. What has been true for me in my own therapy experiences is that trust can be so hard, especially considering how vulnerable the therapy process can be, and how important it has been for me to have a solid foundation of trust before any meaningful work can happen for me. I am a firm believer in meeting someone where they are at along their journey and balancing that with leaning into the discomfort of big emotions and courageous topics. Sometimes going to therapy and trekking through the hard topics can be way outside of your comfort zone, and I believe that is where the growth and magic happens. In my own personal experiences, I know that my growth has almost always come from uncomfortable moments and being outside of my comfort zone. I have definitely struggled with high anxiety in moments of discomfort and change, and also know just how worth it leaning into the discomfort can be.

When I am not doing this work with clients, you can likely find me hanging out with my dog Yogi, being outside in these beautiful mountains, connecting with friends, or at a concert with my husband.