“If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate…Whatever it is, don’t be afraid of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.” -Mary Oliver

Philosophy and Therapeutic Approach

Beginning the therapy process can bring a whole host of emotions with it. One of the most beautiful parts of therapy is the aspect of togetherness in those emotions. People come to therapy for all sorts of reasons, each person bringing their unique personality, experiences, desires, and hopes. My heart as a therapist is to be a safe person who welcomes and honors the many parts of who you are, to walk alongside you in your hopes and dreams, and to equip you in confidence with information and tools as you walk through the life you choose.

The therapy process looks different for every client in every stage of life; what I find consistent across this is the role of hope in this process. While many come to therapy with feelings of anxiety, sadness, and grief, depression, or hopelessness, they often find the presence, safety, and encouragement of another to be hope-producing. It is my greatest honor to be a part of this experience with you, as I have seen hope be life-changing for many.

It is because of the Lord’s great love that we are not consumed, and because of His great faithfulness that His compassions never fail and are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). I believe that therapy is a space to both grieve our sufferings without being consumed, and celebrate what is good. My promise to you is to welcome these emotions, thoughts, and experiences along the way as we walk and hope toward the future you desire.

What to Expect in Therapy

The process of beginning therapy is daunting and overwhelming for many. The idea of sharing intimate parts of your life with a complete stranger can certainly be scary and anxiety-producing, especially when sharing the parts of your life which are not as often or openly shared. This makes sense and is completely normal (I’ve experienced those feelings as well!)

My hope as a therapist is to create an inviting, safe, warm, and secure place in which you can share any and all parts of your story, experiences, and self. My heart is to welcome and embrace not just the parts of you which you find easy to share, but also the parts you are less eager to. All of you is welcome here, and however much you want to share!

Sharing yourself and walking towards healing will happen at the pace which you are comfortable with. Our first few sessions are often spent getting to understand what you carry, and how it impacts you. Together we will establish goals and desires you have for this process as well as make sure that I am a good fit to help you achieve these goals. We can address all the questions, emotions, and uncertainties you have about this process or working with me, as well as focus on building that security, safety, and trust that will be the foundation of our work. I believe there is great healing and hope to be found in therapy, and I am eager to walk alongside you in that.

Everyone has walked a different spiritual journey and can find themselves in a variety of places as they begin therapy. While I am happy to engage in spiritual practices such as prayer or scripture in our sessions as you desire or request, it is by no means expected or required. I have also utilized art, poetry, and music when working with clients before and am open to using whatever tools might work best for you in this process.

Personal Qualifications and Experience

I first became interested in psychology and counseling while at my undergraduate university studying Applied Health Sciences to pursue medical school; it was through this process I realized my greater desire to walk alongside people not in their physical woundedness but their emotional or psychological difficulties. After adding a minor in Psychology, I pursued work with a non-governmental organization in migration education and trafficking awareness, spending nearly a year in Southeast Asia doing anti-trafficking programs and projects. During this time, I further narrowed my desire to work with those suffering from the effects of sexual abuse or assault, intimate partner violence, and family trauma.

From a young age, I took a great interest in caring for those in pain, offering empathy and support for friends through a variety of difficult experiences such as parent divorce, mental health struggles, and difficult family relationships. I have always found great joy being in relationship with others, and have pursued opportunities to help in the different ways I am able–as a student leader at my school and youth group, nannying young kids, leading a student ministry while in college, organizing cross-cultural events and experiences, and now mentoring middle and high school students. Each of these has gifted me the opportunity to sit with people in their difficult life stories and experiences, and hearing these stories has been one of my greatest privileges.

Most recently I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults at Denver Counseling Center. It has been a joy and honor to walk with people through their unique challenges and an experience in which I have learned a great deal.

Personal Interests

Something which I have found to be incredibly important for my own mental health is pursuing those things which I find joy in; this includes taking care of the nearly 25 plants I have in my house, baking and cooking for anyone who will let me, watching reruns of The Amazing Race (as old as the show maybe), and running when I can find the time. I believe our routines and rhythms are some of the simple pleasures in life.

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