About Me | Therapy

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2014, I have more than 20 years’ experience in the fields of psychotherapy and social work. I believe that people are inherently geared toward health (in all its manifestations) and connection, but that our urges toward health and connection get thwarted by any number of influences: life circumstances, emotional and physical abuse and neglect, war, parents, teachers, politicians. Being thwarted hurts and we develop ways to prevent being hurt again, which I have been trained to call "armoring". Armor protects us but it also prevents us from fully knowing or being ourselves. It keeps us from being able to create and live the life we are meant to live.

My experience as both patient and therapist has proven that Character Analytic and Somatic therapy is a means by which to free oneself from this armoring in order to become oneself and create a life worth living.

I graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota in 2002. After 2 years' work experience, I pursued a Master of Social Work degree from Humboldt State University, graduating in 2006.

I have been training in Somatic Psychotherapy and Character Analysis for 15 years. Most of my training has been and continues to be with Peter Moore, MFT in Eureka, CA. I have also trained with Dr. Daniel Schiff of Portland, Oregon and Mitchell Singer, MA, LMHC, of Seattle, Washington, as well as Siegmar Gerken, PhD, ECP, HP, and Cornelia Gerken, CMP, ECP, HP.

I live in Humboldt County, CA with my husband, 2 sons, and 2 cats. I love spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy physical activity

including dancing, jogging, biking, hiking, swimming, and stretching. Taking in the rugged beauty of this area, from beaches to forests, rivers to mountains is a favored hobby. I also love playing piano, singing in harmony, cooking, and gardening.