Therapist

Life can feel mundane, or even futile, with the constant wear-and-tear on our minds, bodies, and spirits, as well as on our families, not to mention our homes, cars, and possessions. We work against the chaos, creating order and beauty, only to be disappointed by the next area of trouble and brokenness. After many repetitions of this pattern, we can feel worn-out, tattered, and devalued. Our digital age doesn’t help as influencers fill our social media feeds, giving the impression that everything should be fresh, new, and untainted.  What are we supposed to believe? Our reality -- or the images of "the perfect life"?  And in contrast to influencers' perfection, there are the "trolls" online who tear down others, air grievances without accountability or fact checking, and who seem determined to spew destructive criticism.

Where do we go to quiet the noise of mass opinions to gain balance and grounding?  Instead of a public forum, why not try a personal approach to initiate change?  Perhaps something like therapy.  Choosing to slow down, intentionally quieting the noise, focusing on ourselves and the relationships that we care about the most is noble and counter-cultural...and does not have to be done alone.  You can bring in the people you love and care most about with you to slow down together and to engage in relationship differently.  Let's start a new cycle together.

Getting to know me

As a member of a military family, my life's journey has sometimes felt unpredictable with notable highs and lows. Our many moves and transitions brought about adventure, joy, exploration, and a chance to experience new places, people and things. Yet, the cycle of getting to know people and then leaving, led to the sadness of separation, isolation and loneliness. The unspoken rule of military families is to push through the pain. There is no time to feel.  The mission must be accomplished.

At a young age, it became clear to me that we were meant to live in community, to have deep relationships with others who understand us, challenge us, and lift us up.  While life circumstances, can make this challenging, there are still ways we can work toward community.  I noticed that as I became an adult and began inviting people together in community, the connections began to build, and the cycle began to change.

In addition to supporting families, couples and individuals, I enjoy building community and connections with adolescents. The past 16 years of my career has been dedicated to working with adolescents in churches, schools, and most recently with Youth For Christ Military walking alongside them in their sorrows and joys, struggles and successes. In the context of relationships, painful parts of life can lead to deeper connections and a way forward, building a foundation of strength and courage that can last a lifetime.

As a Marriage & Family Therapy Intern, I pay attention to the impact of relational and societal systems, even when working with individuals. Whatever the state of our relationships, the therapeutic space is where we can experience being seen, understood, and supported, with the goal of becoming more connected in our lives overall. For families, couples, and individuals of all ages, I am pleased to offer faith integrated therapy as well.

At The MFT Clinic, I work under the supervision of Dr. Wendy Smith, PsyD. My therapeutic approach is attachment-based, emotion-focused, multigenerational, trauma-informed, and holistic.  I look forward to journeying with you in this season of life as we work toward changing the cycle.