Ever since I can remember I have been interested in people and we come to be who we are. I became especially fascinated in how the experiences we have in our lives shape us, and continue to impact us in profound ways even decades later. I began to study this interest formally almost 20 years ago during undergrad, studying Psychology and Individual and Family Studies at Concordia College, in Moorhead, MN. While in school, I conducted research in how the childhood experience of non-physical abuse (i.e. emotional and psychological mistreatment) impacted relationship and self-esteem in college age students.
After college, I moved out to the Pacific Northwest drawn by my love for hiking and backpacking in the mountains; rushing rivers; and lush, green valleys of this region. I volunteered for a year at a L'Arche Community for developmentally disabled adults through Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC). The tenets of LVC are living a simplified lifestyle in intentional community with others while working for social justice. This experience furthered my interest in how we, as humans, are impacted by relationship and past pain. I also became awestruck at the profound strength and resilience people show in the face of hardship and trauma. During this period, I also began my journey of self-discovery and growth through receiving my own therapy as well as developing Mindfulness and Contemplative Practice. The values of community, living simply, mindfulness and social justice continues to inform my life and practice today.
Over decade later, I returned to school to once again study Counseling Psychology. I earned my Master's degree in Counseling from Southwestern College in Santa Fe, NM. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with the State of Oregon (#C3385) and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC # LH60471429) with the State of Washington. I have logged over 3000 hours working with adults and children as a therapist at several community mental health clinics and a crisis/trauma treatment center. I have also worked in residential treatment facilities with troubled teens and young adults as well as developmentally disabled adults. My passion lies in helping my clients to discover their own awesome beauty, wisdom, and strength no matter who they are, and what they have experienced in their lives.
