About
I was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. I moved to Colorado to be near the mountains and pursue graduate school. I began my career as a counselor working with at risk youth, in residential settings, from 1998-2006. During that time, I met many social workers who were excellent therapists. This inspired me to seek my graduate degree with a clinical focus. I completed my MSW in Clinical Social Work from Colorado State University advanced standing program in 2007.
I have worked as a psychotherapist in Colorado for nearly 20 years. I joined Emery Counseling in 2017, after 10 years serving in community mental health. While in community mental health, I served people of all ages and walks of life. This experience helped me discover my heart for serving those who are suffering from addictions and untreated grief and trauma. I also work with those struggling with self esteem, identity issues, attachment injuries, depression and anxiety.
Throughout life we all incur emotional wounds, that cause us pain. Rejection, not being valued/seen, abuse, being discounted, boundary violations and belittled, to name a few. Similar to a physical injury, when the pain is too great, we can act out in damaging or impulsive ways. We can also develop distorted beliefs of ourselves. This can infect our worth and identity. Much like a weed in a garden, distorted beliefs can influence how we behave and treat ourselves/others. Survivalist, impulsive ways to cope with pain, actually deliver more of what we don't want: broken relationships, chaos, addiction, hopelessness, fear and low worth/esteem. Better understanding our wounds allows us to more clearly identify infected beliefs and challenge them. This creates the opportunity to nurture messages that bring life. We must first learn new ways and habits which effectively cope with the pain.
I specialize in working with adolescents and adults who feel ensnared and trapped by painful emotions and self destructive behaviors. Better understanding our wounds, and beliefs tied to them, sets us out on a road of healing and freedom. We need to be able to safely process and develop adaptive/healthy ways to cope with the pain. Ways that can actually help the wounds heal.
For nearly 20 years, I have worked with people, of all ages, in various therapeutic settings. I believe we can be empowered in the most painful places, but we need a safe place to learn how. The very wounds and pain seemingly set out to destroy us, can be the catalyst to help us become free, more confident and connected with our true worth, value and identity. I honor those that take this risk and seek to be a guide along your journey. If I am not the right therapist for you, I am glad to assist in guiding you to the support that best fits you and your needs.
My Christian Faith and My Professional Practice
As a follower of Christ my faith is inseparable from the work that I do. I am a minister and ambassador of Christ's great love. I am also aware and respectful of all faith and non-faith backgrounds. A individual's faith, as a resource, would only be explored in a therapeutic setting if the client so desires.
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