I grew up in Renton, WA with both of my parents and siblings. Throughout high-school and afterwards I worked at different entry level jobs and was developing my "lived experience" battling with mental health and substance use disorders, followed by rehab stays and multiple run ins with the law. I surrendered to God and recovery from addictions on 7/27/1996.
I entered college in 1998 eventially earning a Human Service degree with a chemical dependency cerification. I then pursued a BA degree in Liberal Arts, and eventually a MA degree in Counseling Psycology. I have worked at multiple behavioral health treatment programs including: residential and outpatient dual diagnosis treatment programs, medical detox, mental health in the jail, and private practice. I've been a program manager, clinical supervisor, and started a men's long term residential treatment program. I am a patient centered thearapist and use DBT, CBT, MI, and EMDR counseling skills in my practice with the clients I serve.