my story
I was raised in a little historic town in the Delaware Water Gap, a small region nestled in the northeast corner of Appalachia. I was brought up in a large family with unshakable working class values like loyalty, resilience, self-sufficiency, and grit.
It was the challenges I faced in my adolescence and early adulthood that shaped my unique approach to therapy and lead my passion for this work. I often battled with the belief that I didn’t belong. I lived my life in a way that was creating barriers for me to exist authentically and embrace my true self. Due to what was missing from my experience, I strive for all my clients to feel whole-heartedly listened to, seen, and understood.
I wandered west 10 years ago in pursuit of a new adventure. In my early twenties, I packed up my car and drove to a place I had never been before and didn’t know a soul. Soon after landing in Tahoe, I realized this move was simply me trying everything imaginable to heal on my own and avoid asking for help.
(Pro tip: If you’re looking for an incredibly fun distraction from your past, moving across the country on a whim is an epic temporary fix!)
Lo and behold, Reno/Tahoe became the place where I finally began to lean inward. It was this influential time in my early adulthood that showed me healing doesn’t have to be done in solitude. Amongst pain and struggle, it is often the weaving of our own intrinsic knowing, bravery, and the magic of genuine connection that humans need most.
In my free time I enjoy hiking with my dogs, practicing yoga, camping, cross-country road trips, live music, tinkering with my antique truck, and spending time with friends & family.
Education and Qualifications
As a first generation college student, my journey in education started off humbly at Sussex County Community College in northern New Jersey. I transferred to Sierra Nevada College in Incline Village, Nevada for my Bachelors degree in Psychology. I went on to complete my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Saybrook University in Pasadena, California.
I have gained clinical experience working in various settings including community mental health, group practice, inpatient and outpatient settings, court-mandated treatment centers, and now private practice.
M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Saybrook University , 2022
B.A. Psychology and art minor, Sierra Nevada College, 2016
EMDR Basic Training, EMDR Consulting-EMDRIA approved , 2024
Soul Collage: Primer for Therapists, Northwest Creative & Expressive Arts Institute, 2023
