Having grown up in Minnesota surrounded by water (in various forms), by the time I turned 17, I was ready for adventure and the ocean. I joined the U.S. Coast Guard, traveled to many different countries, and lived on both coasts before eventually finding my home in Montana in 2014. I still LOVE the water and my happy place is either on the river or at the ocean with my husband, 2 young daughters, and hyperactive bird dogs.
As a child, I was naturally curious and enthralled by people’s stories. I wanted to understand what people were thinking, feeling, why they did what they did, and what they were going through. My experiences in childhood and in the military made me extra curious how people got through hard things. So I started exploring these things within myself.
I know what it feels like to be trapped in a cycle of feeling so much pressure inside to stay busy, productive, and focused on work because I’ve lived it. My relationships have suffered because of my reactive or shut down responses.
I am passionate about helping others feel more of a sense of aliveness within themselves and their relationships because I know what it feels like to get out of that cycle.
Learning, practicing, and receiving Transforming Touch® and Somatic Experiencing® sessions transformed my life. I continue to heal, learn, and grow by receiving ongoing weekly Transforming Touch® sessions, consultations, and trainings in both Transforming Touch® and Somatic Experiencing®.
Walking with people as they move from suffering to feeling more like themselves, and being more able to access joy and love, is my life purpose. It is an honor and a gift for me to be with people as they heal.
I work best with folks who are open to a different approach than traditional talk therapy. Folks who are tired of being stuck in their patterns, frustrated with the state of their relationships, and are ready to make some brave, life transforming changes.
Licenses, Education, & Experience:
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) #42789 in MT, 2020
MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, specialization in Trauma and Crisis Counseling from Walden University, 2018
U. S. Coast Guard Academy graduate, BS in Marine and Environmental Science, 2010
Domestic Violence & Sexual Trauma Advocate, 2016-2018
Employment / Career Counselor, 2014-2016
U. S. Coast Guard Veteran, 2006-2013
Advanced Professional Training/Certificates:
Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SEP), 2022
Transforming Touch® Practitioner (TTP), 2024
Other Professional Training:
Building Organizational Resiliency (30 hours), National Victim Assistance Academy (NVAA), 2017
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Advocacy Training (16 hours), HAVEN, 2016
Mental Health First Aid Training Certificate (8 hours), National Council for Behavioral Health, 2015
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Certificate (15 hours), LivingWorks Education, 2015
Intensive Services Training Certificate (28 hours) / Facilitating Veteran Employment (28 hours), National Veteran Training Institute, US Dept of Labor, 2015
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Advocacy Counselor Core Training (42 hours), DVSAS, 2013
Individual & Group Crisis Intervention & Peer Support (27 hours), Int’l Critical Incident Stress Foundation, 2011
Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Training (40 hours), US Coast Guard, 2010
Direct experience working with:
Complex PTSD / Developmental Trauma
chronic stress / burnout
anxiety / depression
health issues
grief/loss
perfectionism / shame
relationship challenges
work trauma (toxic environment, performance feedback, licensure complaints, job loss, etc)
victims of crimes
harassment / discrimination
suicide loss
partners & caregivers of someone struggling with suicidal ideation or mental health challenges affecting the relationship
Military service / veterans (transition to civilian-life, military sexual trauma, grief/loss)
Life transitions: graduation, new job, school/career pivots, promotion/demotion, layoffs, moving, dating, marriage, break-ups / loss of relationships, becoming a parent, mid-life reevaluation, aging, retirement, etc.
Let’s connect.