My Story

My first therapy experience was when I was a kid. During our family therapy session, I sat with my arms crossed, knees tucked into my chest, and refused to answer questions with more than one word. That session only reinforced the feeling that I was the problem. My introduction to therapy did not align with my personality. I was an energetic child who was misunderstood and labeled as problematic with learning difficulties. My emotions and behaviors were often dampened rather than encouraged or approached with curiosity. I grew up feeling like I was too much for others, so instead, I learned how to mask my emotions and needs in order to fit in.

Except for when I was in nature. When I was playing outside, I felt free to be me without any pressure to be what others needed me to be. The outdoors gave me a chance to take a pause from the complexities of family dynamics, divorce, and awkward teenage years. My love for the natural world and the love for the way I felt while outside led me to pursue a career in the outdoor industry. My days and nights spent working outdoors showed me that self-reflection and growth can be creative and engaging rather than feeling like a broken object that needs to be fixed. This realization inspired me to pursue my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Ironically, my opposition to therapy was channeled into becoming a therapist many years later.

My intention is to bring the lessons I have learned through my experiences to clients who could benefit from a more engaging, holistic, and creative approach to therapy. Instead of assuming that a client is the problem that needs to be fixed, I approach each session with curiosity and compassion. Because I do not take a “one size fits all” approach with my clients, each relationship I have with my clients looks different. Some sessions are for feeling emotions that have never surfaced before, while other sessions are for being weird and laughing together.

From 2016 onwards, I have worked in various clinical settings with children, adolescents, young adults, parents, and families. My therapeutic stance is rooted in relationships, attachment theory, and family systems. I believe that we are all hard-wired for connection. But when our first connections are not dependable or emotionally available, we develop unhealthy survival mechanisms to meet our needs and manage the feelings of hurt and rejection. Theoretically, I use principles from narrative, family systems, somatic, and attachment theory, all with a mindfulness-based approach.

Besides being a therapist, I love playing music with friends, thrifting, cooking, making art, and, of course, spending time in our beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. 

I specialize in:

• Young Adults

• Teen/adolescent Challenges

• Relationship Concerns/Exploration

• Identity Exploration

• Self-Esteem Development