Philosophy and Therapeutic Approach

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is John 10:10. It says, “The thief has come to steal and kill and destroy, but I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” 

In one verse, we see acknowledgment that there is destruction of what is good and beautiful, and how there is also a God who created us and wants us to have the fullness of life. 

I want that fullness of life! I want it for myself and everyone in my counseling room. 

It isn’t an easy goal, and it looks different for everyone. Down to the patterns on our fingers, we are all unique, and the fullness of life for each of us is also unique. 

 I believe that all behaviors make sense in context, and healing and change happen in the context of relationships, storytelling, and the rewiring of the unhelpful ways we think.  

 I consider it a privilege to make space in the counseling room for your heart, mind, and body to rest and explore what it means to live out a fuller and more whole version of who you are. My goal in every session is to help push back what hinders, so we can look at what nurtures the person “One Who Made Us All” created you to be.

What to Expect in Therapy

Your therapy is about you. When you walk into a therapy session with me, I want you to know that my time, attention, and respect are dedicated to your process. I want good things for you, and all parts of who you are welcome. 

Therapy often serves as a microcosm of what is going on in the rest of your life. Not every session will leave you feeling good, and I want you to have all the resources to navigate the therapeutic process. Because of this, I include education about what is happening during the therapy process that is beneficial to you at the moment. 

 My goal in the therapy room is to walk with you through whatever you need to walk through, to act as a witness to your story, to help you work toward goals that match your values, and give you tools that are beneficial in reaching those goals. 

 Therapy is a process. We will begin by getting to know each other, working together to set initial goals, answering any questions you have, and ensuring you are comfortable. Over time, we will build a safe space for you to bring any feeling, emotion, hurt, or question you need to bring to the therapy room. 

 If you would like to include prayer, scripture, or other spiritual practices, I am able to do that with your permission, but it is not a requirement.

Personal Qualifications and Experience

I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in English Education almost twenty years ago because I wanted to be someone who let adolescents know that they matter. Several years ago, I considered returning to school to earn my Master’s degree. It didn’t take me long to determine that a Master’s in counseling was the right program for me. I have worked as a substitute teacher during my education which has helped keep me up to date with the culture of many children, adolescents, and adults. 

I am a long-time advocate for the fullness of life for all people. I have worked in several capacities that reflect this passion, including as a writer and advocate for fair trade practices, as an intern at an international anti-trafficking organization, and as a speaker for women’s groups about the theology of body image.

Personal Interests

My move to Colorado several years ago introduced me to my love of hiking. There is something about putting one foot in front of the other on the trails that always makes me feel better than when I started. 

I believe food is community glue. I love the power of a shared meal or a hot cup and good conversation. I love to take my time cooking or dancing in the kitchen.