I received my education through the University of Northern Iowa with a B.A. in Social Work (1990), the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Masters in Social Work (1991), and Capella University with a Ph.D. in Human Services/Counseling (2008). Since receiving my independent Licensure (LISW), I've spent almost 30 years providing mental health services to individuals and families in the Des Moines area both as a Clinician and Supervisor in a variety of outpatient mental health settings. This includes serving as an adjunct teaching instructor in the field of Psychology for several years. 

I currently provide individual counseling services to adults (18 and above) both in-person and through telehealth. Areas of specialization include: trauma, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and life transitions. I am trained in the following therapeutic modalities: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). I utilize a strengths-based, client-centered, and trauma-informed lens to create a safe, affirming, and inclusive space for the collaboration and facilitation of growth and change. I believe that it’s important to view and treat the whole person, that physical and mental health are highly integrated, and that the past contributes to the present but doesn’t dictate the future. I enjoy forming therapeutic relationships with clients and witnessing the positive and sometimes life changing shifts that occur both during and in-between sessions. It’s truly an honor to work with those who are facing some of the most difficult and vulnerable moments in life.