this is me: My Story

Welcome! 

My journey to becoming a psychotherapist first began in college as I was gaining experience in the occupational therapy field. With several thousands of hours shadowing allied health professionals in varying rehabilitation settings, it occurred to me that while I absolutely loved the work (and still do), I was looking to make more of an impact on individuals and families from an emotional stance.

I've worked in differing roles, including but not limited to teaching, writing, coaching, management, advocacy, and bodywork (NCBTMB). I hold a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy specializing in systemic trauma therapy from National University (San Diego), and I am also trained as a trauma-informed yoga instructor and reiki master. 

Professionally, I have trained in models such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for individuals, couples, and families, the Relational Recovery Process (RRP), the Anchored Relational Model (ARM) for Complex Trauma and Dissociation, Advanced Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Somatic Embodiment and Regulation, Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy, and Sand Tray Therapy. I also have training in the Gottman Method (GM) for couples, Integrative Sex and Couples Therapy, Integrative Attachment Family Therapy, and Written Exposure Therapy (WET) for PTSD.

I am most inspired by the work of three women who were brave enough to branch out in the field of psychotherapy: Virginia Satir (developer of Satirian Therapy and the Satir Growth Model), Susan Johnson (developer of Emotionally Focused Therapy), and Amanda Curtin (developer of the Relational Recovery Process, and who I've had the privilege of being trained directly under). Despite incredible pushback from others, these women trusted themselves, their intuition, and what they knew. Like these inspirations, I make the work that I do my own and focus on embodiment and the whole person in trauma recovery.

Aside from my professional education, I acknowledge that my ability to witness others in psychotherapy is deeply rooted in my own lived experience as a childhood trauma survivor and as a survivor who has been in therapy and does my healing work. I have lived personal experience with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as a medical condition called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). My lived experience has given me deep spiritual insight into the complexities and nuances of trauma recovery and healing. I know from firsthand experience what it is like to feel as though you don't have a voice and the process of reclaiming it.

As a therapist, I consider myself to be warm, down-to-earth, and casual, as I am in everyday life. Aside from my profession, the things that I enjoy and light me up the most include but are not limited to: painting (oils and watercolor), creative writing (poetry), intuitive dance, improv, craft-making, singing (blues/jazz/celtic folk), gardening, cooking, yoga, hiking, and international traveling. I receive a lot of joy from and am dedicated to my friends, family, and communities.

I have chosen to be in this profession because I understand the complexity of incredible pain and woundedness and the magnificent creative freedom of healing. I believe in the power of choice and finding your voice amidst turmoil and hopelessness. My love for this work is fueled by how much I am inspired by my clients and their incredible strength, resiliency, and inherent gifts. I believe in and am dedicated to doing this work, which is ultimately about fostering the ability to grieve and to tell the truth. The truth is what we need so desperately in our local and global communities.

Thank you for your time!