The transition into parenthood is a profound and transformative experience. The months leading up to bringing baby home are often filled with anticipation, joy, fear, anxiety, and more. And once you welcome that tiny, new family member into your home, those emotions only tend to magnify — understandably so. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs)…
I am a psychotherapist and the Director of Education and Professional Development at Wildflower. In addition to being a therapist, I am a yoga instructor with specific training in Trauma Sensitive Yoga Therapy and Yoga Informed Psychotherapy. As a clinician, I work with people to integrate their life experiences into their sense of self while mindfully connecting to values in order to create the life they want to be truly present in. As a leader in training and development, I strive to do the same for our clinical staff and broader community in a professional context. I utilize a holistic and interactional model for clinical supervision with a focus on ethics, cultural competency, and integrity. I am passionate about the work we do and the communities we build and firmly believe that creating a safe and diverse atmosphere is fundamental to learning and growth.
Joining in the therapeutic process can be fulfilling, challenging, vulnerable, and inspiring. I utilize evidence-based approaches along with a focus on the mind-body connection to help the people I work with feel truly empowered to make the changes they would like to see in their lives. I have worked with individuals at many stages of their journey and feel honored each time I am able to join in any leg of that endeavor. I am so grateful for the connections and insights developed in the moments that feel both big and small. I find there is incredible power in the silence and reflection along the way, and my goal is to create a safe space to explore the full range of experiences that occur within therapy.
I obtained my Bachelor’s degree at Knox College and my Master’s degree in clinical social work at the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration. Prior to joining Wildflower, I was the Clinical Director of a Mood, Anxiety and Trauma Related disorders program at the residential level of care. I have worked extensively with individuals with mood, anxiety, trauma related disorders and eating disorders treating both individuals, couples and families. My clinical training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention, and Trauma Sensitive Yoga Therapy guide my holistic approach towards helping people in their emotional and behavioral development.
Furthering Wildflower’s educational mission is an essential part of my role and professional identity. I have presented on a variety of themes to clinicians at Wildflower and beyond. Topics have included: "Like a Mother: Clinical Implications of Psychotherapy as a New(er) Mom," "On Grief and Grieving: Addressing Perinatal Loss in Psychotherapy," "Step by Step: Applying DBT to the Treatment of Trauma," "Co-regulation in Action: Beginning with the Therapist," "Treating Trauma Through the Stages: An Integrative Approach," "Connecting Mind and Body: Healing Through Yoga," "Evidence-based Practice and Practice-based Evidence: How Do We Determine What Interventions to Call On and Whether They Are Effective?" "Rocky Terrain: Addressing Ruptures, Repairs, and Terminations in Psychotherapy," and "Trauma-Informed Care."
LCSW License Number: 149017861
Type 1 NPI Number: 1942747522
Accepts: Lyra, UnitedHealthcare/Optum PPO, self-pay and out of network clients
Pronouns
she/her/hersSelected training and affiliation
Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Certification with the Trauma Center Dialectical Behavior Therapy training Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy training Exposure And Response Prevention Training Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change Certified Yoga Instructor (200hr, Yoga Alliance) Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Level One Certified Perinatal Mental Health Certified (PMH-C) Clinical Supervision: Providing Effective Supervision, Navigating Ethical Issues and Managing Risk Training and Certification Highly-Sensitive Person (HSP) Knowledgeable TherapistKey beliefs
You are exactly where you need to be, in fact this moment is the only one you could be in. Allow yourself to be here and breathe. Everyone is doing the best that they can with the skills that they have, when we know “better” we can do “better”.More about me
I adore my dogs and have rescued several. I’m an animal lover and have a dream to one day live on a farm where I have many dogs, maybe a few pigs and a pond with two otters who hold hands. I love reading and am always either in the middle of a book or listening to one on audible—if not both simultaneously. My own yoga practice is so important to me but I still have trouble committing to a regular practice. I try to practice a lot of self-compassion about that and make it to my mat as often as I can. I am the mother of two babies born during the COVID-19 pandemic. The process of becoming a parent during the extreme circumstances we are living through has been formative in my therapeutic work, especially with my perinatal clients. I believe now more than ever, we need to lead with compassion and curiosity to adapt to these uncertain times.
National Infertility Awareness Week
National Infertility Awareness Week will be observed from April 23-29th, 2023. This week seeks to bring awareness to an extremely common yet all too often overlooked experience. No person feels prepared to confront infertility and the grief, anxiety, and fear that may follow the infertility diagnosis. At Wildflower, we are committed to helping you navigate…
What to Expect from Psychotherapy When You’re Expecting or Postpartum
The perinatal period, or the time leading up to and following labor and delivery, is often hallmarked by uncertainty. In addition to joy and hope, fear and anxiety are frequent companions on the road to motherhood. You might find yourself wondering: How can I take care of my mental health while pregnant and postpartum? What…
Being a Psychotherapist in a Post-2020 World
Source: Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash What does it mean to be a psychotherapist in a post-2020 world? What does it mean to work in reproductive mental health at a time when rights are being systematically attacked and birthing people lack bodily autonomy and the resources to parent? In the past months, this probably…
Making Your Grief Your Own
Source: Photo by whoislimos on Unsplash Grief can feel like such a weighty word and heavy concept. Simultaneously, living through a time in which we have all lost so much, grief can also feel like an impossibly small word that cannot begin to describe how we feel about the experiences we have suffered. Burnout, isolation,…
Matrescence as a Psychotherapist: Part III
Source: Photo by Vivek Kumar on Unsplash In our first two articles in this series written in collaboration with Chrissy Ellis, LCSW, PMH-C, we have identified what matrescence is and what it means to navigate this transitional period as a therapist, the various client and therapist reactions that commonly occur, and how to use the…
Matrescence as a Psychotherapist: Part II
Source: Photo by Bethany Beck on Unsplash In our first article in this series which was written in collaboration with Chrissy Ellis, LCSW, PMH-C, we discussed the profound change we undergo during matrescence, or the physical, psychological, and emotional changes associated with the transition into motherhood. We also explored just how challenging it is to…
Matrescence as a Psychotherapist: Part I
[Photo by Ryan Franco on Unsplash] Our roles as therapists are characterized by the ability to create and hold space, bear witness to vulnerability and change, and attend to the dynamic and varying needs of our clients. Our roles as mothers and caregivers often demand these very same things. The transition to motherhood fundamentally changes…
Demystifying Psychotherapy: What Are Ruptures in Psychotherapy and How to Deal with Them?
The client-therapist relationship ideally offers a sense of safety, allows for vulnerability, and creates space for exploration. Your relationship with your therapist is unique and evolving because, just as in all relationships, human beings bring both tangible and intangible qualities to every interaction. Some people’s chemistry meshes better than others. Sometimes you find someone who…
Dialectical Behavior Therapy in the Treatment of Trauma
Note: This article is primarily intended to be a resource for mental health professionals who are treating individuals impacted by a history of trauma and who are seeking additional evidence-based tools to support their work. If you are not a mental health professional, you may also find this article helpful in learning more about the…
