Treatment Specialties and Clinical Interests
I value working with teens and adults in a supportive non-judgmental way. I assist people who may be challenged with shame, anxiety, depression, grief/loss, substance use issues/recovery, communication issues, parent/child relationship difficulties, trauma, lack of self-care, and low self-esteem. I am a LGBTQ+ affirming, and gender-affirming therapist. I am also a culturally responsive and social justice-oriented therapist.
Clinical Approach
I have expertise, but I will also rely on your experiences, wisdom, and strengths. Basically, I help people find their way again. Often people are struggling with something in their lives that is out of balance or going through a transition and reinventing themselves. Sometimes life is out of balance due to disconnection, trauma, addiction, and/or grief/loss. Additionally, people are trying to decipher what they can control and what they cannot, and how to let go. I draw from a variety of therapeutic modalities such as Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness practices. I will individualize the approach to your care based on modalities in which I am highly trained.
Education and Experience
I earned my Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan in 2002. Over the years I have enjoyed working with preschoolers through octogenarians. I have had the great honor of working in schools, with residential treatment centers, adjudication programs, and being a Clinical Supervisor for a Tribal behavioral health program. Over the past 20+ years I have committed myself to providing therapeutic services to disenfranchised and marginalized populations by empowering them and reducing stigma. This has included, but is not limited to, providing therapeutic services for the LGBTQ+ community, HIV+ people, bullying prevention programs at Santa Fe elementary schools, youth in homeless shelters, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy with combat veterans, Native communities, probationers, gang members, and survivors of trauma. There is still so much for me to learn!
Personal Interests
When not working, I am usually partaking in some kind of outdoor adventure with my family and hyperactive dog, playing musical instruments, or diving into Wikipedia. My dog wants you to know that she strongly prefers the first option.