About Me
Helping you to let go of the baggage weighing you down
I became a therapist to change the world.
I want to work with the quiet women. The girls, sisters, wives, and mothers often overlooked by society and even their own families. Those girls who grew up too scared to ask for help. The ones who worried about being seen as less than perfect. The ones who said they were “fine” but on the inside felt bruised, not good enough, and not as important as everyone else. The ones who said “other people are worse off than me” and speaking up is selfish.
In essence, I wanted to help myself whether that was the child me, the young adult me, or even now the new “mid-life crisis” me. Which is why my practice is dedicated to working with the invisible girls. The current ones and the ones who are all grown up.
Together we are going to change the world.
My Qualifications
License & Certifications
- Clinical Professional Counselor License
- 2004
- Certified Domestic Violence Professional
- 2016
- Certificate as a Child & Adolescent Trauma Professional
- 2020
- Certificate as a Clinical Trauma Professional Level II
- 2025
Education
- University of Michigan
- Bachelor of Arts Degree
Literature, Science, and the Arts
Concentrations in Psychology and Women’s Studies. - Western Michigan University
- Dual Master’s of Arts Degrees
Blind Rehabilitation Dept, Counseling Education Dept, and Counseling Psychology Dept.
Degrees as a Rehabilitation Teacher & Rehabilitation Counselor
Systems Experience
- Child Welfare/Foster Care
- Court-Mandated Services
- Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault programs
- Disability programs: Social Security (SSI, SSDI)
- State Rehabilitation and Independent Living programs
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Community Mental Health
My education and training reflect my values and belief that equity, diversity, and inclusion are fundamental human rights.
My Journey: Everyday Life and Values
I seek to live life with authenticity. I recognize these identities as fundamental parts:
- Cis-gender woman, feminist, and mother
- American Socialist - advocate for the rights of all people to equity and justice.
- Christian; member of the United Church of Christ.
- Neurodivergent, Gen Xer (the new forgotten generation), and avid learner/reader.
My own self-care goals
- Daily morning/evening meditation & reflection
- Daily H2O and protein intake
- Daily time spent outdoors
- 2-3 times a week fitness & strength training
- 2-3 times a week practicing (or learning) art and crafting techniques
- Weekly volunteering
Interesting Fact
I hate bananas but love banana bread.
My partner and I celebrated 20 years of marriage in 2024.
We have two teenage children together, both of whom still live at home.
Interesting Fact
My guilty pleasure is reading sci-fi and fantasy romance novels.
Our house is run by The Two Queens
i.e. our adorable Tortie cats, Tracer and D’va.
Addressing Bias
I recognize the influence my identities have on me and my practice as a counselor in both conscious and unconscious ways. I strive to remain aware of my potential for bias in relating, and differentiating myself from those who may come to me for counseling.
As a white person living in the United States I recognize the influence this society, our media and culture, has had on me and consciously work against the bias it creates.
As the child of a parent who immigrated to the US, I recognize the influence immigration and dual nationality has had on my identity.
- I love learning and sharing my knowledge of psychology, the mind, and wellness.
- I’m working to find wholeness, just like you.
- I’m working on finding my own answers.
- I challenge myself to work toward self improvement.
- I will bring the same dedication to helping you.
- Let’s journey together to Actualizing Your Best Self
