Authentic Life Christian Counseling

Let's start with my professional background shall we? I obtained my undergraduate degree in Biblical Literature from a private Christian school called Taylor University and then worked as the Missions Coordinator at my church for a year. Then I moved out here to Colorado and graduated with my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health counseling from Colorado Christian University. Since I've been practicing after graduating I have loved sitting with people in their hard moments and helping them find a way forward when it feels like nothing is working. Feeling stuck in life can be overwhelming, but there's hope. Let's work together to overcome anxiety and improve your relationships. As we explore your story, we can find tailored strategies to address your unique challenges and help you live life the way you want. Using evidence-based approaches like the Flash Technique, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Gottman Couples Method Therapy, I help individuals and couple

I am the fifth born out of seven children. I have three older brothers and one older sister, as well as one younger brother and one younger sister. Growing up in such a large family was a tremendous blessing – and now the family continues to grow with little nieces and nephews. I will also get to be a part of another family by the end of the year; my fiancé and I are planning our wedding toward the end of 2021! My interests and hobbies include learning, researching, interacting with kiddos, creating artwork, baking, gardening, and exercising.

I was home educated from kindergarten through high school. I decided to go to college at the age of 26. In the beginning of my undergraduate studies I was enrolled in the School of Arts at the University of Colorado, Denver. I was pursuing a degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Studio Arts. It wasn’t until second semester of my Freshman year before I discovered how passionate I am about psychology and mental health. After realizing my passio

My professional story began after I graduated from college. Even after spending four years in school, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to “be when I grew up.” I began working at a school for at-risk teens helping out in the office administratively. I found that as I got to know the students, they would want to come in and talk, but I kept turning them away because my job didn’t allow for that. One day it dawned on me that I was really more passionate about people’s stories than paperwork.

I headed back to school for a Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Colorado at Denver. I spent the next couple of years pursuing licensure while working as a counselor at the school. Since then I’ve spent time working with college students at CCU and pursuing education in marriage counseling so as to expand my understanding of people’s stories.

Eventually, I found that as I was on my own journey in being married and having children, I became more and more passionate about help

I grew up an avid reader, who considered my tattered copies of Nancy Drew mystery novels and adventure stories to be some of my most-prized possessions. I realize looking back, how, even at a young age, I wanted to be a part of a narrative that was both meaningful and adventurous.

For many years, I dreamed of becoming a tenured college professor (which was not a surprise to those who knew me as the shy child who was never without a book in her hand!). While on this journey to become a professor, I earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees, as well as a Master of Arts degree -- all from the University of South Dakota: my first bachelor’s degree is in English (2017); my second bachelor’s degree is in Anthropology (2017); and my master's degree is in Literature (2019).

It was while working towards this goal, that I discovered how much I loved discussing literature in class with my own students—specifically hearing how the stories we were reading together in class affected them, as well as