I am a coffee-loving bibliophile who enjoys board games, D&D, all things geek, unicorns, renaissance festivals, spending time with my family and friends, traveling and watching cheesy B-movies.
I appreciate the opportunity to work with people from diverse backgrounds, cultural experiences, and orientations. I celebrate body and weight positivity, geekiness, and radical acceptance with anyone whose lifestyle or interests are outside of the mainstream.
I will work to create a safe, authentic, and non-judgmental atmosphere while holding space for you to process difficult thoughts, feelings, sensations, and experiences. If you are motivated to make changes to achieve the best version of yourself, it’s very possible that we would work well together. Transparency and authenticity are two of my top values.
I am a bit outside the box, so my approaches are, too: I will incorporate humor, play, sand tray, board games, yoga, expressive arts, pop culture, comics, and other creative work into our sessions along with more traditional elements of therapy. Everything I do is rooted in evidence-based practice. I want you to understand the work we do together so I provide education and resources along the way.
My areas of interest are (List is not exhaustive):
- LGBTQIA+
- Geeks, nerds, and gamers
- Alternative lifestyles
- The helpers: educators, first responders and healthcare workers, caregivers of those with a terminal / chronic illness, parents of children with special needs
- Identity & transitions: Women in midlife, life adjustments & transitions (divorce, blended families, empty nest), maternal health/identity (moms of multiples, parenting after a trauma, birth trauma, postpartum depression), infertility/pregnancy loss
- Neurodiversity from an affirming lens: Adults with giftedness, ADHD, Autism – Level 1/2, learning disabilities, etc.
- Mental Health Support: depression, anxiety, complex trauma and grief
- Navigating cancer diagnoses for yourself or a loved one;
For those who like to know about my qualifications: I have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Wichita State University. I have the highest social work licensure in Kansas and am trained and qualified to diagnosis and treat mental health issues. I also have a Master’s in Education from Newman University where I took 9 hours of coaching. I bring components of this into my work. I have had specialized training related to trauma, LGBTQIA+ population and affirmative therapy, somatic interventions, anxiety disorders, parts work, geek/nerd mental health interventions, neurobiology, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (List is not exhaustive). I also specialize in sex therapy. I have had extensive training in sexuality, gender and alternative lifestyles. I have my Trauma-Focused CBT Certification and I am a Certified EMDR Therapist through EMDRIA. Additionally, I have a post-graduate credential as a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor from the Association for Play Therapy. I also provide training for mental health clinicians and supervision for those seeking licensure as a LSCSW in the state of Kansas and nationally as a Registered Play Therapist.
Prior to working in private practice, I have worked in substance abuse, adoptions/foster care, school social work, as a behavior specialist for children with special needs, and have taught at the undergraduate and graduate level at community colleges and universities. You shouldn’t have to tone down your passions, quirks, or any part of yourself in therapy. These things make you who you are, and who you are is welcome here. Contact me to schedule an appointment.