A persistent theme guiding my journey to become a clinical therapist has been a deep curiosity to better understand the unique experiences that make up our inner worlds.  Emerging into my adult self as a visual artist, I began what was to become a beloved 20-year adventure as a higher education fine arts teacher.  I now humbly step into my role as a clinical therapist carrying with me a holistically informed perspective and a desire to take part in an inclusive environment that fosters mutual trust in the therapeutic relationship.  My relationship with fine arts, mindfulness meditation, breathwork, dance, yoga, and training towards becoming certified in somatic experiencing (SE) inform a bottom-up, integrative approach to working with trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.

I believe that loving ourselves fully is the right of every person.  When we experience trauma, there is a natural reflex to protect.  Our systems react by building walls to shield us from pain and suffering.  Those shields can be so effective they keep us from our deeper selves and cut us off from a full spectrum of experience.  I assist in the process of learning to know, honor, and embrace our whole selves more fully so we can open the doors to healing.  If we can reconnect to our wise and resilient core, there is potential to give voice to the wordlessness inside.  As we do that, we can work towards the authenticity, peace, and empowerment that rightfully belongs to each of us.

Location: Glen Ellyn

Education and Certifications:

• Counseling MA (expected 2025)
• MFA
• SEP in training