My Background

I have my own set of lived experiences in my life, but primarily, I’m a fellow human on this winding journey—just like you.

I’ve been shaped by profound relationships, including partnership and motherhood, by church-based/religious experiences and my personal spiritual journey, and by years of holding space for and with people who are healing their minds and tending to their hearts. I’ve done a lot of personal and professional learning related to mental health, trauma, relational health, mindfulness, and spirituality. I’ve experienced both injury and healing, pain and growth, fear and love.

All of that informs what I offer to my clients: a space that honors the complexity of you and of your unique life, that values presence, and that honors the deep intelligence of the human heart.

I completed my graduate degree in counseling in 2013 and went on to work in a range of mental health settings, including residential treatment and outpatient clinics. Eventually, I opened my private therapy practice, where I worked with clients navigating anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic symptoms. I had begun my own therapy journey prior to graduate school, and found myself deeply curious about how healing really works - and particularly how exactly this relationship with a stranger was helping me… because it clearly was! I was fascinated by how - when I was facing deeply painful experiences and the emotions that came with them - in the genuine space that a quality helping relationship is characterized by - I was able to integrate those experiences, and find new perspectives and openings…. new ways of relating to myself, and to others, and to life itself. I asked a lot of questions: how do we effectively resolve emotional pain? Once symptoms settle, how do we truly thrive? And what supports wholeness—not just functioning? How do we really, truly, have healthy relationships - with ourselves, with one another, with our communities?

My curiosity about how humans flourish continues to animate me. I am so thankful to have found wise and loving support along the way. The journey continues.

Education, Training & Credentials

  • SPACE Program for Professional Development (Complex Trauma Training Center), 2025

  • Certified Professional Coach, Grow Training Institute, 2024

  • NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), Levels 2 & 3, 2021-2023

  • Healing the Whole Self Complex Trauma/Structural Dissociation Training, Parts 1 & 2, 2017 & 2019

  • Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT), Yoga Teacher Training through Gilbert Yoga, Gilbert, AZ, 2018

  • Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy Training, EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program, 2015-2016

  • Trauma-Informed Yoga, Connection Coalition, 2016

  • Master of Arts, Counseling, Northern Arizona University, 2013

  • Bachelor of Arts, Bible & Philosophy, Bryan College, 1999

Why I Do This Work

What draws me most today is the intersection of spirituality, trauma healing, and identity—especially in the lives of spiritual and religious leaders. I believe that the systems many leaders are part of may unconsciously not offer them a truly safe, neutral space to be human. To doubt. To grieve. To change. To heal. I don’t believe this is intentional on the system’s part - but I do believe that coming to see this blind spot is really important — both for the health of our leaders, and the health of the communities they lead. And from my years of working on on one with people - as well as my own personal journey — I know that neutral space is essential for authentic connection and authentic change. I want to contribute to a world where those who take on the task of guiding others spiritually also have access to genuine care for their themselves.

The neutrality I offer isn’t detached—it’s sacred. I’m not here to fix, convert, or prescribe. I’m here to hold a high-trust, confidential space where you can listen to your own life more clearly. Where the performance can fall away. Where presence, not pressure, becomes the guide.

A Bit More About Me

I grew up in Iowa and attended an evangelical church (Church of Christ) throughout my childhood, then went on to Bible college for the first two years of my bachelor’s degree. I had my two sons in my early twenties and was lucky enough to be home with with them for much of their early lives. I worked in education and bopped around trying to figure out ‘what to do with my life,’ which included completing a year of law school at Arizona State as my thirties approached. A divorce and some deeply painful experiences drew me to starting therapy in my my early thirties. I had been deep diving into literature from the Jungian/depth psychology tradition for years, but I was astounded by how useful intentional relational support - especially from a depth-oriented perspective - actually was. I found it incredibly integrative and supportive, and I still draw deeply from this tradition in my personal life and work with people. I also discovered yoga around this time, and found it a deeply supportive resource/practice in my life, something that helped me quiet my mind (sometimes!) and connect with my body. I later completed yoga teacher training. I continue to practice yoga regularly.

I’m fascinated by the science of connection, consciousness, and healing. I love learning about quantum physics, the cosmos, the nature of awareness. It seems to me - we are discovering more and more just how interconnected all of life is. That thrills me. I love the outdoors, music, food, and being with people I love. Life seems…. full of wonder! And full of mystery. I’m astounded by the power of the human heart, and the power of genuine relational presence. That’s what I try to bring into my work—wonder, presence, and a deep respect for our shared humanity.

If you're curious about working together or just want to learn more, I’m more than happy to share more of my story. Reach out anytime.

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