Growing up, I spent much of my time at the adult table listening and observing, endlessly fascinated by people. I was eager to understand others’ histories and connect with them on a deeper level.

As I entered college, I began to explore how I could transform that interest into work that would provide meaning in my life and others. As I worked to identify my own path, I experienced some of my own struggles. I found myself turning toward diet culture as a way to ease the feelings of fear I was feeling about my identity and relationships.

Thankfully, I found a therapist who understood my struggles and fears. Over the years, that relationship helped bring me to a space of acceptance both for my body and sense of self. In doing so, I was able to find the confidence to embody my authentic self and fully engage in my life again. I knew then that my passion lay in helping others accept themselves and live a life that was meaningful to them.

I chose the path of social work as I entered graduate school. After receiving my master’s degree, I made a bold decision and left my home state to move to a place where I knew no one and had never even visited. It ended up being the best decision I had ever made, allowing me to follow my passion and help those experiencing their own struggles with self-compassion and nurturing themselves.

While starting my own family years ago, I quickly recognized the lack of mental health support for women transitioning into motherhood. Providing support to those during this major, and often isolating, life transition has become a deep passion. Motherhood is one of the most beautiful things I have ever experienced and it is also one of the things that tests my patience and challenges me daily (sometimes hourly). This is why I feel so called to support others going through all the emotions that arise in parenthood.

My work as a therapist has helped me recognize the immense importance of connecting with our values and using them as guiding principles during challenging times. I’ve also learned the importance of sitting with challenging thoughts and emotions, even if our minds are yelling at us to avoid them. This is in fact one of the ways that EMDR works — by helping us learn to resolve what has felt unmanageable. I enjoy offering EMDR and other interventions that help people recover from what has felt overwhelming.

I am excited to learn your story, because every story is different and there is power in understanding. There is power in learning why we do the things we do, and with this power we can make room for change. I am always so honored to be a part of my clients’ journeys and to walk beside them holding hope and compassion even in the toughest of times. I believe that growth, change and full recovery is possible, and each and every one of us deserves it.