Experience.

I have over 15 years of experience in community mental health and private practice, working with teens, adults, and families. I bring a special focus on trauma resolution that will help clear lingering negative emotions and energy from upsetting events in the past that currently influence daily life patterns.

Trauma is often considered to be large events such as sexual assault, physical abuse, or surviving an attack or disaster, but it can also be “smaller” experiences such as growing up in an alcoholic family, being bullied as a child, car accidents, or having a spouse have an affair. Regardless of the nature of the experiences that impact a person, we often carry the negative effects around with us whether we are aware of it or not.

Approach.

I am passionate about teaching clients how to care for themselves in a way that truly uplifts them and helps them move past whatever challenges they may be facing.

While I use traditional talk therapy methods frequently, my primary trauma techniques are Holographic Memory Resolution (HMR) and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), but I am also trained in EMDR.

I use these techniques with clients to help them gently release any negative feelings and effectively “unburdening” them so they can move forward in life with more confidence, safety, and clarity.

Experience.

I have a Masters Degree in Social Work and Bachelors Degrees in Family Science, Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I am also an Active Parenting trainer, a Gottman trained educator, a Love and Logic facilitator, and am certified as a Parent Coach.  I have been working with families as an educator, advocate, mentor, social worker and therapist for over 20 years.

Family Life.

I have been married for 27 years, have four children, and am an active and adventurous hiker, biker and skier who loves travel with my family and long walks with our dog Oakley.

Approach.

I guide, educate and strengthen parents and families in the following areas:

• Parenting skills and discipline techniques

• Family communication strategies

• Emotion coaching

• Parental anxiety and stress

• ADHD management

• Transition to parenthood

• Cooperative parenting through divorce

• Strategies for blended families

• Grandparenting support

• Faith-based conflict in families

• Community resource guidance

• Family crisis and case management

• Becoming an LGBTQ family

Experience.

During my MS in Kinesiology and Health Sciences, I specialized in Sport Psychology and Performance. As a sport psychology consultant, I address critical sport learning and performance areas such as mental readiness, concentration, motivation, teamwork, communication, the zone and balancing sport and career/school. I am also a Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP). As a corporate coach, I teach leadership, corporate culture, communication and working relationship management. I have a Certificate in Industrial & Organizational Psychology which helps me to partner with leadership to spearhead continuous improvement initiatives and organizational change.

I am passionate about health and wellness, giving me the ability to integrate my background of physical fitness, kinesiology, massage therapy theory, health and lifestyle changes into mental health. I have had the opportunity to work in community mental health, private practice and employee assistance (EAP) for 15 years treating a wide variety of clients including teens, young adults and adults with presenting concerns such as relationships, grief, anxiety, depression, life transitions, career, self-esteem, disordered eating, substance abuse and performance.

Approach.

I believe that every individual has what it takes inside of them to endure life challenges, build grit, accomplish their goals and find happiness. I enjoy helping build up my clients, increasing their awareness, helping them define their goals and developing their own toolbox through recognizing and reinforcing their strengths, enhancing skills and exploring additional coping skills that may resonate. We are all unique and special and deserve to be heard.

Experience.

I have a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Utah and a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Brigham Young University. I have therapeutic experience working with parents and children of all ages in educational, medical, residential, and outpatient settings. My speciality is supporting parents and working with children experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, and challenging behavior.

Family Life.

I am married and have two children. I am an amateur home chef and love to take excursions with my family anywhere we can play in the sun!

Approach.

I approach my work with children and families through a strengths-based, family system, trauma-informed lens. I believe that the way we interact with the world is often mirrored in the way we interact with the primary relationships with our family. Although many of the things that we experience as children and as parents are not our fault, we can take on the responsibility to change and to heal. We will work together to understand the experience of both child and parent, and use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to bring about that change and healing.

Experience.

As a former teacher, I love serving educators as they process the unique difficulties of their career. I have a particular passion for working with young adults as they navigate the challenges and joys of gaining independence, attending college and gaining work experiences

Approach.

I bring humor, compassion and support to the therapeutic relationship to promote the use of boundaries, the implementation of self-care, emotional awareness, and personal growth. I am trained in Brené Brown's program, The Daring Way™, and use the curricula to work with clients to cultivate a life that is most aligned with their personal values and goals.

Experience.

I entered clinical practice in psychiatric and substance use treatment facility settings in the 1990s before beginning private psychotherapy practice with individuals and couples.  I have training and experience treating depression, anxiety, eating disorders, trauma, relationship challenges, and LGBT-specific concerns.

Family Life.

Married for 30+ years, my husband and I have six children who are now teens and young adults.  I enjoy traveling, being outdoors, connecting with friends, time with my family, and curling up with a great read.

Approach.

I approach therapy in a very transparent, open-process manner. I love learning about every person’s unique world view, recognizing their strengths, and helping them view challenges as opportunities for growth. I pay attention to developmental experiences and family dynamics and work with people to discover how these influence their current relationships. I frequently share with people what research has taught us about human development and relationships, and talk about how that informs our work together.

I am a student of the Gottman Method of Couples Therapy, and find that their interventions provide valuable tools that benefit relationships of all types. Conflict in relationships is inevitable--but it can be managed in a way that respects each individual’s perspective and needs and helps both partners feel heard and understood. Joy comes in cherishing each other, engaging in healthy, productive communication, and in prioritizing the health of the relationship.

Experience.

With over 15 years of experience, I specialize in working with individual adults and couples. My expertise includes addressing anxiety, depression, life transitions, family conflicts, marital communication, boundaries, finding identity in motherhood, dating and singleness, premarital counseling, midlife confusion, and crisises of faith.

Approach.

In my work with you, I focus on looking at your past, relationships, and family of origin to understand how they connect to your current situation. Often, we develop ways of dealing with challenges during our youth and carry them into adulthood. In therapy, we will look at these patterns that may no longer serve you and replace them with more gentle and healthy thoughts and behaviors. I provide both practical tools and a deeper understanding to help you move forward. Whether you're facing personal struggles, seeking guidance, or simply need a space to express yourself, I am here to offer a safe and neutral environment. Your story is important, and I am here to listen and provide support.