About Me

I wasn't always a therapist and coach.

It wasn’t my dream to become a mental health professional, but I’ve always had an interest in the human mind and personality … seriously, I doubt many other teenagers in the 70’s had their own subscription to Psychology Today. I do distinctly remember watching Bob Newhart play a Psychologist though on one of his sitcoms and thinking “he gets paid for that?”

I received my B.A. in Psychology at the University of Notre Dame. A post-graduate internship transferred me to Southern California where I then received my M.B.A. at Long Beach State and pursued a career in banking.

After several executive leadership positions with West Coast banks, consolidations in the industry afforded me the opportunity to change careers. I truly felt a call from God to attend seminary, but not necessarily become a pastor. I decided to get back to my “roots” and pursue a Master’s degree at Western Seminary in Counseling. Sitting in my first theology class, I knew I was where I was supposed to be.

I joined a church-based counseling center after graduation and started the long process of becoming licensed. Combining my administrative skills with my therapeutic skills, I served as the Clinic Director for 10 years, at which time I “retired” from management to focus solely on my true passion, working with clients.

COVID-19 brought a whole new set of challenges and opportunities. As with many of us, I quickly adapted and found that telehealth was equally effective for successful outcomes. I now have a home-based private practice where I exclusively work with my therapy and coaching clients by phone or video. 

I strive to take a non-judgmental and collaborative approach in supporting my clients.

As a life-long learner, I’ve completed many trainings and seminars over the past 20 plus years. Through this learning and hands-on experience, I’ve come to realize that each person is uniquely designed and that
“one size does not fit all.”

My core expertise is in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention and Internal Family Systems.

I stay current with new developments and research-based techniques to support my clients in achieving the best outcomes possible.

I find Internal Family Systems to be a very grace-filled approach in helping clients organize their inner world of thoughts and voices (sometimes intrusive).

It often leads to deep discoveries of wounded parts that can be unburdened and redeemed so as not to trigger unhealthy coping responses.

My approach is highly personalized, integrating innovative, evidence-based techniques to help clients achieve meaningful change. I appreciate and encourage on-going feedback from clients throughout the process of working together to ensure that we are on track and achieving their desired goals.