Background + Expertise

Hailing from the Midwest, I bring a rich understanding of family dynamics and life's ups and downs, having navigated through them in a large, quirky family. I started working with special needs kids and their families in my youth and this sparked my interest in family relationships and mental health. My journey led me to California, where I delved into yoga and psychology as tools for personal growth and resilience. At the Brief Therapy Center of the Mental Research Institute, I found my calling in a model that is flexible, respectful, and highly effective in resolving problems.

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With a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's in Educational Psychology specializing in marriage and family therapy, I've honed my skills through extensive training. My qualifications include certifications in Brief Therapy, Urban Zen, and a range of modalities from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. However, I am most rooted in Problem Solving Brief therapy which I teach and consult on internationally. This model has changed my life for the better and is VERY effective. Additionally, my yoga teaching and training enhances my approach to therapy, integrating mind, body, and spirit. This holistic lens lends itself to a resilient and dynamic view of humans and the problems we encounter. My blend of looking at each human and in the broader system creates a supportive, enlivening and non-pathologizing frame for working with pain, communication and the variety of problems that bring people to therapy.