finding my way
I was born and raised in the Eel river watershed, in Southern Humboldt County. I received my Bachelor of Science in Human Development from UC Davis, and a Master of Social Work at Humboldt State University, where our graduate program had an emphasis in serving indigenous populations.
After graduate school, I took several years to travel the world and experience other cultures and ways of life. I worked as an outdoor guide in Alaska, Yosemite, and Costa Rica, leading hiking and biking trips. My own healing has always been supported by nature, by slowing down and re-balancing myself within my connection to plants, animals and the earth.
My role as a clinical social worker began working in the foster care and probation systems as a mental health clinician in Santa Rosa, CA. The children that I served were often in crisis, with attachment disruptions, physical, emotional and sexual abuse, and multi-generational trauma. For the next 3.5 years, before going fully into my private practice, I worked in end of life care. In this role, I supported people in their last months, weeks, or days of life to find closure, heal wounds and prepare for their transition. I was an anticipatory grief counselor for the friends and family members that were supporting them in their journey. It was an honor to be of service at this tender and important phase of life, and to hold space for the deep connection with self and purpose that can take place.
My theoretical orientation as a therapist is trauma informed and somatically focused, based in feminist, relational, and humanistic approaches. I draw from transpersonal psychology as well as attachment theory, neurobiology, eco-psychology and queer theory. I am a Master Therapist in the Neuro Affective Relational Model, and am excited to bring this modality of healing to my clients. As a psychotherapist, I support my clients to look at themselves with honesty and love in order to create more freedom and connection in their lives.
Specific Education and training
Bachelor’s of Science in Human Development, UC Davis
Master of Social Work, emphasis in serving indigenous communities, Humboldt State University
Certified Master Therapist in the Neuro Affective Relational Model (NARM), a modality for treating complex and developmental trauma
Experience as Lead Clinician working within the Unconditional Care model, treating families who have experienced developmental trauma
Trained as a Trainer in Unconditional PRIDE, a program for serving LGBTQ+ youth
Trained as a Trainer in Motivational Interviewing
Hospice grief training in William Worden’s Four Tasks of Grief
9 month initiation program in Ancestral Wisdoms: grief ritual facilitation, nature therapy
Wilderness First Responder, nature guide, eco-psychology student