About me
I am currently a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Arizona, 23922. I am a level 2 Gottman and EMDR trained therapist. I specialize in working with trauma, abuse and relational concerns. I have been in private practice since 2022, beginning my own practice summer 2025. I also currently provide counseling for students on the Hopi reservation. I work with young teens through adulthood for individual, marriage and family. I am first-responder and veteran friendly. I often incorporate art or other creative means, “walk and talks”, DBT, CBT, and EMDR. I provide virtual and in-person services in both Flagstaff and Payson areas.
I began work in Flagstaff in 2019, in community mental health working with a reentry program for felony drug offenders and those struggling with substance abuse. I ran group programs and provided individual counseling.
Previously, I have a background in various community mental health settings working with foster and adoptive placements, school-aged/based populations, SMI populations, crisis intervention, drug court and IOP.
I graduated from Ottawa University and Phoenix Seminary in 2010, through a joint program in Masters of Professional Counseling with a Graduate Diploma in Christian Counseling.
My Story
My interest in counseling began in high school while working with children, but many were unable to reach their potential due to emotional/mental pain. With compassion, I wanted to make helping others my life’s work.
In later years, after working with kids across a variety of ages and stages, and after completing a bachelors in Family Studies and Human Development from the University of Arizona, I felt deeply called to “to proclaim good news…to bind up the brokenhearted, freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,” (Isaiah 61). This is my mission as I help those hurting or needing support.
I began working in a small, rural town at the time in crisis support, drug court and other addiction related services. I came face to face with many needing hope. After a few short years, I made the decision to go back to school and earn a Master’s of Professional Counseling from Ottawa University, and a Graduate Diploma in Christian Counseling from Phoenix Seminary.
In that time, just sitting with someone and offering them hope, a listening ear and now clinical expertise, has reaffirmed that heart in me. I consider it a tremendous privilege to sit before each and every person, hear their story and offer support, insight and hope into their pain. Since 2004, I have worked with children and adults in mental health clinics, criminal justice, crisis, and school settings. I have experience with substance abuse in outpatient groups and individually. I am familiar with foster care/adoptive populations, serving these individuals and families in varying capacities. I have worked with couples, families, veterans and other first responders.
While I have primarily practiced in secular settings, and am fully comfortable to offer services on this platform, my hope is to incorporate faith into the work. I believe in God’s transformative work through the Holy Spirit, and respectfully integrate this in the process of counseling when appropriate for those who wish. I believe health, healing and wholeness are possible for all and the desire of our loving Creator.