About me

Except for a brief period when I wanted to be a private detective around the age of 8 (I was reading Nancy Drew), I have wanted my life to be about helping people live lives where they felt happy and loved. I am passionate about using the best of the world’s wisdom to help people heal and to reduce suffering.

In my 13 years of practice, I  have worked in all levels of care in the field of counseling:  inpatient psychiatric care, partial hospitalization/intensive outpatient, school based counseling and outpatient private practice. This work has included children, teens, adults and families. This breadth of experience has given me the unique ability to help folks anywhere on the continuum of struggle from mild difficulty adjusting to new situations to more serious issues like suicidal thoughts and self harm behavior. My experience has given me confidence in addressing a wide variety of the struggles that come with being human and a deep sense of hope in the human capacity to endure difficulty and experience change for the better. 

I specialize in support for those dealing with depression, anxiety, difficulty adjusting to new roles and life transitions, parenting and infertility. I have extensive experience working with youth struggling with negative behaviors such as self harming/cutting resulting from depression, anxiety and problems in relationships with family and peers. I have a special place in my heart for all things related to parenting: infertility, stress during pregnancy, and difficulties adjusting to parenthood. I am passionate about changing our world by supporting parents.

My clients value my sincere and honest presence and down to earth nature,   and my ability to listen closely to their concerns and desires. They appreciate my commitment and love of continued education and know that they can trust me to find the resources they need. 

Together we will do detective work (I got the best of both worlds!) to discover the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that are holding you back and and then help you identify the new choices and practices that will help you develop a sturdy emotional base to support you through the ups and downs of life. 

My primary focus is on helping you develop resiliency and daily practices such as courage, connection, self-compassion and honoring your values that will help you transform the way you live, love, parent and work. 

I am married and have a pre-schooler and when not working, I love to be outside, listen to music and play games with family and friends, read, exercise and laugh.

My philosophy

The care that I give is largely based on mindfulness based and cognitive behavioral therapy including acceptance and commitment therapy with a strong dose of self-compassion. I am excited to be beginning training to become a Daring Way Facilitator based on the research and work of Brene Brown (see resources section).

         Life, and my clients, have taught me some important lessons including:

Life is hard for all of us at times. Harder for some than others. But it also holds great joy. You can't have one without the other. 

We are all doing the best we can. Judging doesn't help any of us.

No matter what you are going through or have been through, there is hope.

We are social beings and our need for connection trumps nearly every other need. We all need to feel seen and cared for. 

The foundation of a wonderful life is the essence of the Serenity Prayer "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Good therapy helps you do just this.

So much suffering is the result of a lifetime of internal criticism and shame. Self compassion is where it’s at. Practice being kind to yourself.

All behavior is an attempt to get a need met. Behavior "problems" can be resolved when we figure out what the unmet need is.

Addressing what isn’t working in your life may not be easy, but, I promise you,  it will be worth it!