My undergraduate degree is in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona. I studied Marine Biology, specifically working with sharks and rays in the Bahamas and Grand Cayman Islands. Although this field of study was fascinating to me, I found the group of researchers that I spent many hours on boats with, were just as intriguing to me. I truly enjoyed gaining a glimpse into their lives and learning how people got to where they were in life and why. At that point in my life, I had no formal training in therapy, yet many of my co-workers entrusted me with intimate and significant aspects of their lives. My love of the ocean was an important passion, however, I knew I needed to go back to school to get my Masters in Professional Counseling and start helping people after helping marine animals!
I received my Masters degree in Professional Counseling from South University in Florida. After moving back to Arizona, I completed my residency at Phoenix Interfaith Counseling. I received an abundance of training in DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment therapy) while working with the Seriously Mentally Ill population with an emphasis on Boderline Personality Disorder. My areas of expertise include treating; depression, anxiety, trauma, OCD, emotional dysregulation, and overcoming struggles with life stressors.
My philosophy is centered around empowering clients through a strong therapeutic relationship. I strive to create a safe and supportive environment to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. Together through a collaborative effort, I work with clients from a non-judgmental perspective, meeting you where you are currently at.
My approach is mindfulness based, highly personalized, and tailored to each client. Throughout the course of therapy, we work on learning how to manage difficult and intense emotions as well as unhelpful thoughts that often get you stuck. The basic idea here is most unhelpful thoughts and intense emotions are not going anywhere. Therefore, we have to find a skillful ways to live along side of them versus attached to them.