While lists of credentials and experience are important, I know that they can also be intimidating, and overly clinical. With that in mind, I would like to tell you a bit about me as a person, first! After all, if we work together, it won’t be because of some seminar I attended – it will be because we like each other!
I believe it is important for my clients to know that my career as a counselor has been a lifetime in the making. I am no stranger to heartache and sorrow, which helps me to understand my clients with the deep knowing that comes from having lived it yourself. I believe in the power of good psychotherapy, meditation, and yoga to change lives, because they have changed mine. I love my work, and I would love to learn about you, and help you to change your life for the better!
I have been married for 18 years, and have 2 teenaged kids. I like adventure in my life, and I love to travel and meet people. I am an artist, and a knitter. I love yoga (especially the restorative kind!), hiking, skiing, and have been known to rock climb, when I am feeling brave. I fantasize about someday becoming a roller derby girl.
And now, for the counselor part! I have been in the professional counseling field for over 19 years. I have worked with women, men, families, and children in various capacities as a community mental health counselor, a trauma and abuse counselor, an addictions counselor, a midwife, a breastfeeding counselor, and a parenting instructor. I have worked with many different populations, and draw from a rich variety of experiences in order to offer a unique and meaningful experience of counseling.
I am currently in private practice, specializing in Body Image and Eating Disorders. I have particular expertise in Women’s Issues, Trauma, and Relationship Issues. In the past I have served with SafeHouse, Denver, La Leche League International, The Colorado Midwives Association, the Mental Health Center serving Boulder and Broomfield Counties, and Creative Treatment Options (CTO). While at CTO, I served as a primary therapist for the Jefferson County Recovery Court (Drug Court), and the Jefferson County Family Integrated Treatment (FIT) Court for Social Services clients.
I hold a Masters degree in Counseling from Regis University (MA), and a Bachelors Degree in Women’s Studies and Film Studies from the University of Colorado at Boulder. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Colorado, a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), a Level II Certified Addictions Counseling (CAC II) in the state of Colorado, and a Level II Trained EMDR Practitioner (EMDR II).
I am a 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 500) through the Yoga Alliance and have successfully completed over 600 hours of training through the Shambava School of Yoga. I am a certified Curvy Yoga teacher through Curvy Yoga. I am a Level II Certified Meditation Teacher, also through the Shambhava School of Yoga, and I am a long-time student in the Shambhava Yoga Tradition.
Education
MA, Counseling, Regis University, with Honors
BA, Women’s Studies, University of Colorado, cum laude
Post-Masters Certificate in Transformative Counseling, Regis University (in progress)
License and Certification
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Certified Addiction Counselor, Level II (CAC II)
- National Certified Counselor (NCC)
- EMDR trained, Level II
- Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT)
- Certified Curvy Yoga Teacher
- Certified Meditation Teacher, Level II
Additional Training
Addictions Counselor Training, Odyssey Trainging Center
Meditation and Yoga Teacher Training, Shambhava School of Yoga and Curvy Yoga
Childbirth Education Facilitator Training, Birthing from Within
Midwifery Apprenticeship Training, Colorado Midwives Association
Domestic Violence Advocacy Training, SafeHouse, Denver
Professional Activities and Memberships
American Counseling Association
Colorado Counseling Association
Binge Eating Disorder Association
Boulder Friends of Jung
Association for Size Diversity and Health
Health at Every Size
National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance