My Professional Training

Internal Family Systems Level 1 Training (IFS Institute)

Master of Science degree, Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Winona State University)

Master of Arts degree, Human Development with specialization in Spirituality (Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota)

Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Studio Art (University of MN-Duluth)

Associate of Arts degree, Visual Communications (Art Institute of Pittsburgh)

My Professional Background

I came to the field of counseling later in life, and I have been working as a counselor since 2018.

As a counselor, I have worked with people from a broad range of socioeconomic backgrounds including medical/wellness professionals, creatives, business executives, people who are unemployed, college students, full-time parents, and court-ordered clients.

I specialize in supporting individuals navigating challenges such as:

  • Anxiety/Stress

  • Depression

  • Grief

  • Relationships

  • Codependency

  • Perfectionism

  • People Pleasing

  • Self-Confidence

  • Self-Empowerment

  • Self-Esteem/Self-Compassion

As a mixed-media artist, I have exhibited my work in both solo and group shows, often exploring themes of vulnerability, trauma, and redemption, particularly in the context of childhood sexual trauma. My art background gives me sensitivity and insight into working with those who identify as spiritual, creative, visual-thinking, abstract, and/or out-of-the-box. I view both counseling and process-oriented art-making as creative practices that can be grounding, cathartic, and deeply healing.

As a wellness educator, As a wellness educator, I have led a variety of learning experiences, including:

  1. Undergraduate courses and discussions on topics such as resilience, wellness, creativity, values exploration, gender identity, racial identity development, white privilege, and effective communication.

  2. Community education classes focused on meditation, creativity, and visual art.

  3. Psychoeducational trainings for public schools, businesses, community organizations, and healthcare systems.

These experiences reflect my commitment to fostering personal growth and deeper understanding in diverse settings.

Trauma Counseling vs. Trauma-Informed Counseling

If you are seeking counseling to process and treat psychological trauma, it is essential to work with a licensed mental health professional who has specialized training in trauma treatment from a recognized organization. Trauma treatment involves revisiting past traumatic experiences as part of the healing process, which can carry a risk of re-traumatization. Working with a clinician who has the appropriate training can help minimize this risk and ensure a safe and supportive therapeutic environment. If you have any questions about this or would like further information, please feel free to reach out—I am deeply committed to this topic and to safeguarding clients' well-being.

Although the counseling I offer is “trauma-informed” (explained below), I am not trained to provide trauma treatment specifically.

As a trauma-informed counselor, I understand how common trauma is, how it can show up in people’s lives, and the approaches used to treat it. To create a safe and supportive space, I use trauma-informed principles in my practice to help protect clients from stress or re-traumatization.