By leading with tenderness & vulnerability, I meet people in their struggle, eye to eye. Together, we work to get their feet on solid ground so they can thrive in the everyday hustle and bustle of work and family life and reach their goals. I help empower clients to find and develop their innate ability to grow and fill in the gaps where practical skills and tools still need to be added. Working with me is not for the faint of heart. It takes work to change the things we don’t like about ourselves. It takes grit to face the obstacles that stand in the way. It takes courage to face trauma in all of its complexities and build resilience. Therapy is an active process of transformation, and it is my honor to walk alongside clients who pursue it.

My experience as a pre-licensed Professional Counselor (PC) and Art Therapist (ATR) includes providing therapy for children, adolescents, and adults in individual, couple, family, and group settings. I provide support for neurodivergence, post-traumatic stress disorder, Attention-deficit (hyperactive) disorder, Autism spectrum disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, depression, complicated grief, life transitions, third-culture kids, missionaries, ex-patriates, women’s issues, self-esteem, relationship issues, sexual issues, cross-cultural relationship issues, parenting issues, blended families, single parenting, miscarriage, culture shock & adjustment, artists exploring their creative blocks, body positivity, domestic violence, abuse, and neglect.

My approach to therapy is solutions-focused, trauma-informed, and person-centered. I utilize various theoretical frameworks, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance & commitment therapy, Adlerian therapy, existential therapy, gestalt, and faith-based therapy to meet the nuanced needs of a wide variety of clients all different backgrounds. My clients love my out-of-the-box approach to balancing the seriousness of therapeutic work with humor, nature, movement, relaxation, and playfulness, employing a genuine, embodied, relatable experience. My ultimate goal is to help my clients meet their goals which often includes improving the overall quality of life for every client by improving their relationships, reducing stress & conflict, expanding self-care rhythms & routines, clarifying values, empowering repeatable healthy action, and systemically increasing resilience, & meaning aligned with values.

Before becoming an art therapist, I had the privilege of teaching art to a diverse group of students in the highlands of the third-world country of Papua New Guinea in the Pacific Islands for five years.