I received my Master of Arts in Counseling from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon in 2009. Prior to earning my master’s, I worked with various homeless and at-risk groups; young children; high school and college students.

Since earning my MA, I have worked in Community Mental Health, The Portland DBT Institute, and have been in private practice since July of 2016. I’ve been intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I used DBT primarily for the first eight or so years of counseling, including leading DBT skills groups for teens, young adults, adults, and parents. I have completed a comprehensive training in Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) via Dan Siegel’s Mindsight Institute, a 7 month Foundations of Polyvagal Informed Practice intensive training through the Polyvagal Institute, and am excited to be joining the Polyvagal Training team as a consultant for Deb Dana’s Foundations of Polyvagal Informed Practice through PESI.

I love this work and feel very grateful this is what I get to do.

Working with people who found themselves homeless was really the catalyst for my wanting to get specifically trained to help people. I wondered how people got to this state of such desolation, and if it was possible to help people find stability, well-being and connection after having gone through such immense struggle.

Working with different populations from there, and in my own life, I wondered how we each find our best self and live from that. I wanted to be equipped to come along side people, no matter how dark or hopeless the situations seemed, to let them know they’re not alone and that there is a way back into the light.

We are wired for connection, belonging, to be seen and celebrated. This kind of attunement helps our brains and nervous systems to let go of what’s not helpful/been wounded, and rewire/reshape in ways that bring a greater experience of well-being. This is what I endeavor to offer you in therapy – help coming home to yourself; healing from things that have kept you stuck; and moving forward with a greater sense of freedom, connection and joy.