LET'S GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER
A FELLOW TRAVELER, WALKING ALONGSIDE
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I strive to not take myself too seriously both in my personal and professional life. I meet my clients with an approachable, down to earth and gentle demeanor. I’m not interested in being viewed as an expert with all the answers, expecting clients to comply with my advice. I do not believe this is an effective approach in therapy. Instead, I view myself as a fellow traveler, honored to walk alongside a client on their journey. I value my clients’ authenticity and emotional vulnerability, and I in turn do my best to embody and model these values myself.
Whether you’re new to the idea of counseling or you’ve received services in the past, a stable therapeutic relationship is crucial to progress in therapy. Just like any other important relationship in your life, the trust between client and therapist is cultivated, fostered and developed over time. It’s a big deal to share parts of your heart with another and I honor the time and experience it takes to develop a foundation of trust in therapy.
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My approach to therapy is trauma-focused, meaning that we work together to heal unresolved attachment, developmental and relational wounds that manifest in various forms of emotional distress. The resolution of unresolved wounding is important in the healing process because such unresolved wounds keep us repeating the same unhealthy patterns in relationships, family systems and professional roles. And, perhaps most importantly, unresolved wounds keep us severely disconnected from ourselves.
"I'm not telling you it's going to be easy. I'm telling you it's going to be worth it."
-Art Williams
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A LITTLE ABOUT ME
I am a believer in the idea that emotional healing allows our wounds to become our strengths. I've had the opportunity to transform many of my own wounds into gifts I now get to share with others. I have always felt passionate about helping people. At age 16, sitting in my high school Introduction to Psychology class, I knew that I wanted to make this my life's work. I love to be in connection with others and I feel excited about engaging in deep and personal conversations. It doesn’t get much better for me.
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In May of 2021 I became a mother and began the most rewarding and difficult journey of my life. I am now a mama to two small humans and the journey remains simultaneously challenging and life-giving. It was only after entering motherhood that I learned how important and fragile the perinatal period is and discovered my passion for supporting families during this sacred and often difficult time.
I’m also no stranger to healing or suffering. I have been “doing my own work” for over a decade. Doing the work simply means that I work on my own stuff on a regular basis and in a variety of ways, though typically by sitting in the client seat when I see my own therapist. I’m a huge advocate that those in helping professions do their own work— imagine how odd it would be to work with a personal trainer who doesn't exercise.
"Vulnerability is not about winning or losing. It’s having the courage to show up even when you can’t control the outcome." -Brené Brown
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
2009 - Circumnavigated the globe and traveled to 11 countries during a study abroad semester (really quick story: during this trip I hiked and slept on the Great Wall of China with a tour group during an unseasonably snowy November in China and thought I was going to die from hypothermia in my sleep but lived the tell the tale)
2011 - Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a focus on Neuropsychology from Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL
2012-2014 - Mental/Behavioral Health Technician & Recreational Therapy Assistant in St. Augustine, FL
2015 - Student Therapist at Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Seattle, WA
2015 - Mental Health Intern and Certified Drug Professional Trainee at a women's pregnant and parenting residential treatment center in Everett, WA
2016 - Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a focus on Holistic Health Psychology from Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA
2016-2019 - Mental Health Clinician at non-profit behavioral healthcare clinic in St. Augustine, FL
2019-2021 - Primary Therapist at long term residential trauma and substance abuse treatment center in St. Augustine, FL
2020-Present - Therapist and owner of solo-private psychotherapy practice in St. Augustine, FL
2021 - Motherhood, pt 1: re-learning everything I thought I knew about anything
2024 - Motherhood, pt 2: still learning everyday
QUALIFICATIONS
Licensed Mental Health Counselor | 2018
Qualified Supervisor | 2023
FL License # MH16535
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Perinatal Interpersonal Therapy Training
Interpersonal Therapy Institute | 2024
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Perinatal Mental Health Certificate (PMH-C)
Postpartum Support International | 2023
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Neuro Affective Relational Model
(NARM) Therapist
Level II training & certification | 2019
Co-Training Assistant, Level II | 2020
Level III masters training | 2022
Level III masters certification | 2023
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapist
EMDRIA approved training | 2020
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
(DBT) Certificate
PESI | 2018
Holistic Health Coaching Certificate
Institute for Integrative Nutrition | 2013