We often feel lost and alone in this life. It helps to have someone come alongside us, offering hope. Sometimes we get stuck. We need space and time to plan next steps, and to practice and gain courage. Our relationships suffer, or even break. Practical tools and gentle guidance can help repair or recover.

Too often, we’re wounded in relationships or by circumstances in this imperfect world. It is a brave thing to seek help and to have hope that things can improve. Life will never be perfect or easy, but God is in the work of repair and redemption. Just as we are broken in relationship, I believe God also graciously uses relationships to heal us. In our time together, we will find ways to equip you with tools and insight you need to continue walking your path with clarity and confidence. I am proud of you for looking into therapy and would be honored to work with you as you take a step toward living the most healthy, fulfilling life possible.

Philosophy of Therapy and What to Expect

• Therapy gives you the chance to be seen and heard in a safe, non-judgmental environment, by someone with specific training who is also removed from the problem. Clients have been amazed to find how much relief can come from sharing their story with a caring stranger! In the therapy room, you’ll have undivided time to make sense of yourself and your circumstances, and to work on issues that have you feeling stuck.
• Even if you’re not aware of them, you (individually or as a couple/family) possess many strengths to help you navigate life. We will tap into these and develop them even more during our time together. Being strength-focused in therapy means you leave with increased confidence in your own abilityto manage tough circumstances. Be prepared to celebrate victories, no matter how small.
• Relationships impact us, and none of us are isolated or immune. It takes only one person changing to produce change in others, so we will start with you and things that are in your control.
• Therapy is collaborative, meaning you and I will work together to identify goals and work toward them. You are the expert on your life, not me, but my role is to listen compassionately in order to understand your story, provide you with helpful tools, and use evidence-based best practices to help you gain awareness and insight to move forward. Another aspect of collaboration is honest feedback about the process. Therapy should be helpful and worthwhile, and I always want to honor your time and resources. If you’d like to focus more/less on something or have questions about what we’re doing, please let me know so adjustments can be made. Lastly, you direct the pace and lengthof treatment. We will go as slow or as fast as you feel comfortable.
• Therapy is not a “magic wand.” It takes work and commitment, and is fundamentally a process. I cannot do the work for you, and you will see greater benefits the more effort you put into therapy. “Effort” can include vulnerability and honesty as you feel comfortable, regular attendance, and completing any assigned “homework” (homework can speed recovery and help you translate skills into your day-to-day life.)
• Therapy has many wonderful benefits, but sometimes you may feel worse before you feel better. Things may come up in therapy that you haven’t had space to focus on in your busy life, or of which you may have been unaware. This is especially true during couples or family therapy, where making changes can cause waves. However, true healing and change cannot occur until we become aware of the issues, so we welcome this awareness in order to move forward and heal. I firmly believe that bringing things into the light takes away their incredible power and control over us. All change can be hard…even good, healthy change.
• I believe that God is our ultimate healer, and has provided us with direction we need to pursue a healthy, fulfilling life. I am always happy to incorporate faith and biblical principles in the therapy room, but this will be directed by your comfort level with addressing faith in session.

Qualifications and Experience

After completing my undergrad in Psychology at Clemson University (Go Tigers!), I went to Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS, and obtained my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2009. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Colorado. It is important to me to be able to provide excellent clinical work and still be able to incorporate faith with responsibility. I trained with couples, families, and individuals using a variety of methods that are evidence-based, meaning they’ve proven to be helpful.

Before joining Cornerstone, I moved around the South (sampling excellent barbecue and fantastic music) and worked with a variety of people, including homeless teenagers, the severely mentally ill, women-specific inner-city ministry, individuals and families struggling with substance abuse, and the elderly and their families. I moved to Denver in 2013 and worked for a local non-profit, providing in-home therapy to families experiencing heartache as they tried to parent teens with difficult behavior. In addition, I have led groups on substance abuse, boundaries, and parenting over the years.

Personal Interests

On the weekends you can find me in the mountains, sometimes backpacking but usually trail running. I love discovering new trails and beautiful views. I find being in nature to be incredibly therapeutic and the place where I most easily connect with God. My husband and I enjoy cooking together and going to concerts when we aren’t exploring outside. We also both love sports and cheer for the Clemson Tigers, the Broncos, and the Rockies. We are active in our local church and rejoice in seeing people thrive through the encouragement and support of others.