About
You’re here because you’re wondering who I am – that’s a loaded question, isn’t it?
I grew up in California playing in the woods, skiing in the mountains, hiking all the trails and escaping to the ocean any chance I had. Nature was my playground and still is. I am vegan and passionate about taking care of my body in a way that works best for me. I’m also an ultrarunner, which means I’m one of those wacky people who love to run on trails for distances longer than a marathon. I find peace and joy running through the woods, near water, or through a desert while I challenge and push my mind and body to limits. You might see me out on the trails at Percy Warner or Beaman park in Nashville.
When I’m not seeing clients or running on trails, I’m spending time with my three adult kids, a small zoo of uniquely diverse rescue animals, working on projects at home or satisfying my insatiable urge to learn all I can about all the things. I am neurodivergent – a late-diagnosed ADHD woman – and damn, did that give me a new perspective to understand myself and how I relate to others. I’m often wearing concert t-shirts and jeans, cursing, laughing, and showing up as myself with confidence and joy.
My path to therapy had twists and turns and that experience shaped my work. My passion for helping others is a core value of mine and guided my career path from my young 20s to now. I spent over 20 years working in various nonprofits on public policy and health initiatives, advocating for human rights and access to affordable safe housing. After directing different nonprofit organizations, I focused my desire to help others with a more hands on approach and chose to transition to work as a therapist.
My strength as a therapist is creating a safe calming space for my clients where they feel they can relax, let down their guard and trust me with the scared, traumatized, and lost parts of themselves that cry out to be heard and seen. Our work together will integrate aspects of research-supported therapeutic treatments, skills, training, and techniques that best support your needs and goals.
Main Areas of Focus
- Unresolved Trauma | PTSD
- Depression | Anxiety
- Attachment | Relationship Issues
- Co-Dependency | Boundaries
- Life Transitions | Big Changes
- Gender | Sexuality
- Neurodivergence | ADHD in Adults
My Training
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Tennessee (license #1879) and earned my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Trevecca Nazarene University where we focused on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). I received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Social Services from the University of California, Davis and a Master’s in Public Administration, Urban Management from American University in Washington, DC.
I am certified in PREPARE/ENRICH a parenting, premarital, and marital counseling, and assessment program. I completed Phase One of Brainspotting, a fantastic tool that can help you access, process, and heal from trauma. I’ve completed Level One training in Gottman Couples Therapy and received training for Level 1 Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Individuals and for couples. I completed training in clinical approaches to healing trauma with Dr. J Eric Gentry. Also, by utilizing my training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) we have the tools to help you embrace and accept your thoughts and emotions, diffuse negative thinking, and work to identify your core beliefs so you can create a life true to yourself. In addition to personally identifying with the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, I continue to participate in training and learn how to best affirm and accept all members of the community by creating a safe healing space to gather, share their stories, and heal and am kink- and poly-aware/affirming.
Additionally, I am trained Reiki Master and welcome the opportunity to hold space for energy and light to be a part of your healing path. As a trained health and life coach, I can also incorporate discussions about your emotional, physical, and spiritual health for holistic healing. I am an RYT-200 yoga teacher and believe that increased awareness of our bodies and movement are vital components to release tension from stored stress, anxiety, and trauma.
Latest Publishings
Partners in Health
As I learned more about health, nutrition, and fitness, I searched for businesses that created products to support my vegan lifestyle. One of these companies is Arbonne. For over 40 years their focus has been helping people build a sustainable healthy lifestyle. Their...
Book Collaboration with Dasha Bond
I’m incredibly excited to announce that I wrote a chapter in a book collaboration led by the amazing Dasha Bond of Penelope Ponders. I am so honored she asked me to share my story for her new book, “Dreaming with the Bees: Sacred Medicine from Beyond the Veil of...
Running as Meditation
Did you know that moving our bodies helps maintain our mental health? It is an excellent way to be in our bodies, to be present in the moment and to release anxiety and stress. So let’s talk about one way to move your body - running! Okay, hear me out. Some of...
Ready to take the first step?
I know that starting down the path to healing and wellness can be damn scary and lonely. My role is to guide you down your healing path with compassion to find the courage and strength to thrive. Most likely with a few curse words and bad humor thrown in!