Part of my strength as a counselor comes from overcoming my own struggles and challenges. As my 12-year law enforcement career progressed, having worked in patrol, traffic, investigations, and field supervision - the luster of a badge wore off and my own battle with substance abuse had become overwhelming. I surrendered my pride and sought help because life had become unmanageable. While in treatment, I could see that those counselors were truly doing life-changing work - and it birthed my new beginning. I had been released from a prison of my own making and I wanted to share this gift with others - to see the light come back on for them as well. 

Leaving law enforcement, I had no “plan B” and few skills that applied outside of that field. With enough encouragement from my supports, I worked through my negative self-talk that I wasn’t smart enough for graduate school, or was too far removed from academia to go back to school 15 years after my Bachelors. I earned a Master's Degree in Addiction Counseling: Integrated Recovery for Co-Occurring Disorders from the premier Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies, achieving a 4.0 GPA and Chief Academic Officer’s Award of Excellence, served as the cohort’s elected representative, and humbly accepted an invitation to be the graduation keynote student speaker.

I provide counseling and treatment services to people suffering from substance use problems, drug and alcohol dependence - and underlying, or “co-occurring” mental health states. My therapeutic approach is rooted in person-centered Socratic Dialogue, supplemented by Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, EMDR, Internal Family Systems Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Psychoeducation, and Gottman method Couples Therapy. 

I have a special passion for helping first responders. My law enforcement background offers me a unique perspective. I know firsthand that “helpers” most often do not feel comfortable seeking help for themselves. Many of them choose to take their own lives or let addiction take their lives without accessing a way out. Working with a counselor who is ex-law enforcement can normalize these reservations that frequently exist and create an environment where they don’t have to “talk shop” like they do at work.

In the therapy room, clients appreciate “real talk” that doesn’t feel cold and clinical. I am direct, but always with empathy and compassion. Because of my own addiction recovery journey, I have deep empathy for the struggles of others. There is no judgment when clients discuss where addiction and values-compromised behaviors have taken them because I personally understand the enormity of these challenges.

I speak the language of the heart from my own lived experience with addiction, leveling of pride, clearing the wreckage from my past, developing self-awareness, and actively working on my shortcomings. As a counselor, it is my honor to accompany my clients as a fellow traveler on their journey to a better life by providing empathetic, nonjudgmental, and evidence-based support.

Outside the office I am a musician and gardener.

I stay active in peer-led recovery, enjoy exercising, hiking, reading, and spending time with my partner and our three rescue pups.