(she/her/hers)
Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling Candidate, Adams State University
Durango has been my home for over 20 years. My professional work started in non-profits-- first with victim advocacy and later with garden projects designed for youth and underserved populations. This work tied together my passion for community engagement, education, and the environment. Working with survivors teaches me the importance of simply sitting beside someone and our resilience in surviving hard times and finding meaning.
My counseling philosophy is client-centered and existential. I lean towards mindfulness, body-centered approaches, and dialectical behavior therapy, which adds skills and education to the mix. I believe we all deserve and desire to be heard, accepted, and belong. I am proud to be part of a field that asks us to show up for our clients and advocate for all people, especially those marginalized.
Our family has a small farm Southwest of Durango with livestock, a large greenhouse, and a garden that keeps us busy. I enjoy growing food and flowers, hiking, paddle boarding, yoga, connecting with others, and geeking out on podcasts and audiobooks.