Who am I?

I’ve spent most of my life learning how people grow, connect, and find meaning; first as an educator, and now as a counselor. My path to this work hasn’t been a straight line, but it’s been full of experiences that shaped how I see people, their stories, and their capacity for change.

Over the years, I’ve taught everything from language and science to art and design. From working with four-year-olds just beginning their school journey, to teenagers navigating big transitions, and non-traditional students returning to the classroom later in life. My last college teaching position was at an art and design university; my last K–12 role was with neurodivergent kindergarteners. Across all of these roles, I was fascinated by how people learn, use symbols, and create meaning from their experiences.

From Educator to Counselor
After decades in education, I returned to my original dream of becoming a counselor. My own encounters with relationship struggles and workplace bullying led me to explore why certain patterns kept repeating—and how they might be transformed. That exploration opened doors to trauma-informed care, neuroaffirming counseling, and metacognitive strategies that now shape my practice.

My Approach

Connection starts with communication, and words shape our world. So let’s use them to heal. I believe that difference is a strength, not something to fix. My goal is to create a safe, affirming space where you can better understand how your mind and body work, clarify your values, and make decisions that align with what matters most to you.

Whether you’re navigating a life transition, working through emotional distress, exploring identity, or untangling past hurts, our work together will be grounded in curiosity, respect, and growth. Together, we’ll build insight, develop strategies, and create lasting change on your terms

Healing starts with honoring how we’re built; we're not broken and not less. Just different—by design.

The Iris Motif

The iris, named after the Greek goddess who carried messages between heaven and earth, has long symbolized transition and insight. To me, it reflects complexity, strength, and the wisdom that can emerge from shadow work.

I chose the iris as my practice symbol because it captures what I believe about healing: that difference isn’t a flaw. It’s a design. Like the iris, we are layered, resilient, and uniquely shaped by our experiences. My favorite darker tones represent the depth of identity, the quiet resilience of healing, and the unfolding of growth through self-understanding.

In our sessions, we may use metaphors and symbolic representations to explore your identity and life story. Counseling should be a place where your difference is understood and cherished, not corrected.

Counseling should be a place where your difference is understood and cherished, not corrected.

Education & Training

I hold advanced degrees in counseling, psychology, communication, and special education:

M.S. – Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Capella University, 2025

M.A.T. – Learning and Behavioral Disorders, Spalding University, 2003

Ph.D. – Interpersonal, Organizational & Health Communication, Ohio University, 1994

M.A. – Interpersonal Communication, Ohio University, 1992

B.S. – Psychology (Minor: Communication), Angelo State University, 1990