I came to therapy after years of working as a full-time nanny and childcare provider. Being so closely involved in the lives of different parents and children gave me a deep understanding that there is no one perfect way to raise kids. After graduate school I worked as a Child & Family Therapist in school and outpatient settings. I spent several years working with adolescents in the foster care system, and supporting foster parents. Eventually I began counseling adults and discovered that my greatest joy is helping grown-ups strengthen themselves and their families. 

I use Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,  Collaborative Problem Solving, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in my work. My style is relational, trauma-informed and focused, and humorous whenever possible. I work from an intersectional and anti-oppressive lens. I am kink and poly informed and enthusiastic about helping ALL families. 

I grew up in southwestern Colorado and lived in Nashville, Washington, DC, New York City, and Denver before settling in Portland where I have lived for just over a decade. My joy comes from my family,  friends, dancing, music, travel, pizza, and just about every pastry. 

Bachelor of Music Business Administration –
Belmont University 2007 

Master of Social Work –
Portland State University 2015

Licensed Clinical Social Worker – State of Oregon 2019

Adoptive and Foster Family Therapy Certificate – Portland State University 2017

Postpartum Support International
Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) 2022
Perinatal Two Day Certificate Course – 2021
Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy – 2021

Areas of Focus
• Parenting
• Pregnancy & Postpartum
• Adoption & Foster Care
• LGBTQIA2S+ Family and Identity
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trauma
• Life Transitions  

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over two decades of experience in behavioral health, I bring a wealth of knowledge and a compassionate approach to my family therapy practice. My background spans from direct clinical work with families to program development and leadership in mental health services, giving me a comprehensive understanding of the systems that impact family wellbeing.

Whether we meet in person or through secure telehealth services, I am dedicated to creating a safe, supportive space where your family can explore challenges, develop new skills, and strengthen your connections with each other. As both a parent and a therapist, I bring genuine empathy and understanding to our work together. I am committed to providing affirming care for all families, including LGBTQ+ individuals and their loved ones.As a culturally responsive practitioner, I recognize that each family’s cultural background, socioeconomic circumstances, and life experiences profoundly shape their worldview and needs. I am dedicated to creating a therapeutic environment that honors your family’s cultural identity, acknowledges systemic barriers you may face, and adapts therapeutic approaches to align with your values and circumstances. I believe in the resilience of families and the power of therapeutic relationships to facilitate meaningful change. I look forward to partnering with you on your family’s journey toward healing and growth.  

My Approach to Therapy
I believe in meeting each family where they are, recognizing that every family system is unique. As a parent myself, I bring both professional expertise and personal understanding to the challenges families face. My therapeutic approach is grounded in trauma-informed care and cultural responsiveness, emphasizing:
• Strength-based interventions that build on your family’s existing capabilities
• Evidence-based practices including Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) framework, Child-Parent Psychotherapy, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Collaborative problem-solving that empowers families to develop sustainable solutions
• Motivational Interviewing techniques to help identify and work toward meaningful goals Cultural humility that honors your family’s unique cultural identity, values, and traditions

Specialized Experience
My extensive experience with diverse populations has prepared me to support families through various challenges:
• Parent-child relationship difficulties
• Trauma recovery and resilience building
• Foster and adoptive family adjustment
• Child and adolescents development
• Family transitions and life changes
• Supporting families with members who have disabilities, LGBTQ+ youth and families Cross-cultural family dynamics

Having worked extensively with rural communities, families experiencing systemic challenges, and diverse populations across multiple counties, I understand the unique pressures families face in different contexts. I am particularly passionate about supporting LGBTQ+ youth and their families, having coordinated LGBTQIA2S+ Network Adequacy Assessment projects and advocated for inclusive, affirming care throughout my career.

Education & Credentials
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Since 2018)
• Master of Social Work
•Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor I

Advanced Training
I am committed to ongoing professional development and hold specialized certifications in:
• Child-Parent Psychotherapy
• Adoptive and Foster Family Therapy
• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Collaborative Problem Solving
• Motivational Interviewing (Train-the-Trainer certification)


Areas of Focus
• Family therapy
• Adoption & Foster Care
•LGBTQIA2S+ Family and Identity
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trauma
• Life Transitions