Hello, I am a professional counselor associate located in Portland, OR. I worked as a graphic design professional for many years in San Francisco before moving to Portland. I’m also a trained yoga teacher and I’ve studied holistic health practices as well. When I was pregnant with my now 10 year old I knew it was time to integrate my holistic health and healing interests into my working life.

My first experience within the field of counseling came from completing a training with a hospice in San Francisco where I learned supportive practices for those in need of end-of-life care. I then went on to complete my masters degree in art therapy. Along the way, training and volunteering as a grief and loss facilitator for children, teens, and families helped deepen my understanding and compassion for all the ways that grief and loss is interwoven into life.

While attending graduate school, my art therapy practice helped support people diagnosed with cancer and for the related stressors that come with this diagnosis. I also worked with children, teens, and families in schools. These experiences helped inform my approach to many mental health challenges along with developmental and creative growth needs across the lifespan.

My current work centers around adults seeking a supportive space to feel seen and heard while exploring and connecting to self, adapting to life changes, navigating and building healthy relationships, for parenting support, for tending to trauma, for meeting grief and loss with compassion, and for needs that come with mental health challenges.

I facilitate art making in therapy practice to support nervous system co-regulation and allow for ease, well-being, and grounding to take root, in support of present moment mindfulness to ease anxiety and worries, to help repair attachment and relational trauma wounds, for post-traumatic growth, and for processing life events and changes. Art making also supports meaning making after loss, increases access to insight and awareness when inner clarity is needed, and to honor and meet the self in seasons of aging. Most importantly, art making in therapy supports relationship building and the healing that happens best in connection.

Exploring your needs and what works for you, following your lead, working collaboratively, and at a safe, comfortable pace is always my aim. Please reach out to learn more about working together.