Professional Background
I grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. I moved to Colorado to be in the mountains. When I first arrived in Fort Collins, I worked as a counselor at a faith-based nonprofit whose mission was to serve at-risk adolescents. I met and worked with a few incredible therapists. This inspired me to pursue my graduate degree in Social Work.
I have worked as a psychotherapist in Colorado for over 20 years. I started private practice in 2016 after 10 years serving in community mental health. While in community mental health, I served people of all ages and walks of life.
This experience helped me discover my heart for walking those who are suffering from addictions and untreated grief and trauma. The residual symptoms of depression, anxiety, struggles with worth and identity are all areas that I have joined with individuals to develop relief, peace, joy, freedom, and confidence.
Education: I completed my MSW in Clinical Social Work from Colorado State University advanced standing program in 2007.
Licensure: I have been licensed in Clinical Social Work (L.C.S.W.) since 2010.
Personal Background
As I have grown in my professional career, I have also grown in my personal journey of healing and wholeness. Throughout my educational and professional development, I have also done much work on myself. I experienced early childhood traumatic loss. As a result, I suffered from my own attachment injuries. In my early development this was expressed as extreme and impulsive behaviors. As I grew into adolescence and young adulthood it mostly manifested through addictions and broken relationships.
Sudden loss met me again in 2005. This propelled me to further dive into my own grief, addictions and injured parts. I sought the care that I needed. The growth I have, and continue to experience, in my own healing journey, has freed me to be a more effective, compassionate and skilled therapist.
Guide
I believe in an integrated approach to healing. I am training to become a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP). Currently, I am an Intermediate 2 student with Somatic Experiencing International (https://traumahealing.org). I also rely on trauma informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and IFS informed care. Each individual has a unique story that requires an individualized care plan. I believe the entirety of the individual: body, mind, and soul must be taken into consideration.
I see my role as a therapist to be more of a guide on your journey. A significant part of the journey is to develop new cycles that deliver care for acute pain in ways that cultivate connectedness and living an authentic life. Healing is hard and sometimes painful work. It requires support and commitment to creating new, familiar ways to regulate and care for oneself.
