“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” — Nelson Mandela
“You can’t heal what you don’t reveal.” — Marianne Williamson
Philosophy and Therapeutic Approach
One of the things I value most about therapy is the opportunity to meet you with honesty, love, and compassion in the places where life has become heavy. You carry a story beneath what others see on the outside, and healing begins when that story is met with safety instead of judgment. Your experiences, worldview, strengths, beliefs, pain, hopes, and questions all matter in the counseling room.
My approach is trauma-informed, relational, and grounded in respect for the whole person. I am especially mindful of the ways crisis, occupational stress, grief, shame, burnout, and chronic pressure can shape the nervous system and make it difficult to feel safe, connected, or hopeful. My goal is to create a space where you do not have to perform, minimize, or explain away your pain to be worthy of care.
Our therapeutic relationship is foundational; healing is supported through empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard. From this place of trust, we will identify strengths, exceptions, and small steps toward meaningful change, while implementing practical tools to recognize emotional, behavioral, and thought patterns that may be keeping you stuck. You will be supported to build insight, confidence, and movement toward the life you want to live.
Therapy is sacred work. It is a place to slow down, tell the truth, grieve what has been lost, name what has been survived, and begin to imagine life with more freedom and peace. If desired, I will incorporate prayer, Scripture, and spiritual reflection into the counseling process. I respect that every person’s spiritual journey is different, and these elements will only be included at your request.
What to Expect During Therapy
Asking for help when you feel broken — especially when you are used to being strong for everyone else — is an act of courage. Vulnerability takes strength. You may be carrying things you have never said out loud, or you may not yet have words for what you are experiencing.
In our work together, my goal is to offer a steady, confidential, and non-judgmental space where you can begin at your own pace. We will build trust, identify what feels most important, and break overwhelming experiences into pieces that can be understood and carried differently. You do not need to rush, perform, or have everything figured out before starting.
In our first few sessions, I will take time to learn your story, answer any questions you have about the counseling process, and clarify what you hope to gain from therapy. We will establish meaningful, realistic goals, while honoring what feels safe for you. As your therapeutic journey continues, you will move toward healing, resilience, and a deeper sense of wholeness.
I believe we can endure and heal from what once felt unbearable when we are met with safety, honesty, compassion, and a relationship grounded in trust.
Personal Qualifications and Experience
Before entering the counseling field, I spent nearly 14 years in public service, including work with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Lakewood Police Department, and Aurora Municipal Court. Across these roles, I worked closely with crisis, accountability, trauma, law enforcement systems, courtrooms, and community pain. These experiences gave me a firsthand understanding of what can happen when people are expected to keep functioning while quietly falling apart.
My path into counseling was also shaped by my own season of burnout, despair, and lifesaving treatment designed for emergency services personnel. That experience changed the way I understand healing. I know what it feels like to appear capable on the outside while breaking inside, and I know the difference a safe, skilled, and compassionate counselor can make when someone finally has enough trust to tell the truth.
I earned my undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Metropolitan State University of Denver and spent much of my career in leadership under the direction of a badge. I didn’t just love the career; I loved the men and women I served with. I am now pursuing my counseling education through Liberty University, with a focus on trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, ethical practice, cultural humility, and faith-informed compassion. My goal is to serve those who serve our communities, as well as those shaped by trauma, occupational stress, grief, and barriers to care.
Personal Interests
Outside of my professional and educational work, I value meaningful connection, faith, service, and the steady work of becoming more whole. My experiences in public service and my own healing journey have shaped the way I live. I wake up to live, to enjoy, and to learn. I don’t walk through my life waiting for it to happen to me; I happen to it.
I’m married, 28 years, with two adult children. I’m obsessed with bernedoodles (Bernese mountain dog and poodle mixes), photography, and a good movie night. Breathwork and meditation have become staples in my everyday life. Let’s not forget my Harley Davidson and Ford Mustang Mach-E; I love a nice drive with loud music on a beautiful Colorado day.