I began my professional life as an educator after graduating with highest distinction from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1995. Those early years of teaching English and history were full of connection, with students, with families, with the stories that shape us. Over time, I found myself drawn more and more to the emotional lives behind those stories, and that curiosity eventually led me to Seattle to pursue a new path. In 2002, I completed my master's degree in counseling at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology.

A commitment to learning has always guided my work. I completed an internship supporting survivors of sexual abuse, where I led groups and worked individually with clients. I trained in EMDR and DBT, and later found a deep resonance with relational psychoanalysis, which shaped my love for long-term, depth-oriented work.

In 2009, I co-founded Seattle Therapy Alliance (now Mend), a low-fee clinic serving underserved communities, and began supervising clinicians, work I continue to value and offer today. I recently completed a four-year term as President of the Northwest Alliance for Psychoanalytic Study. That role allowed me to give back to the professional community that has supported me for many years. Since 2021, I've also served on the Speaking About Race committee, a collaborative group between the area's four psychoanalytic organizations. Our mission is to provide ongoing education around race, culture, and identity for therapists.

For the last ten years, I have been training in mentalization-based family therapy based on Peter Fonagy's work and incorporating it into the therapy I do with families. I was raised in a large family, so I find that helping families understand each other and communicate better comes naturally to me, and it's deeply rewarding work.

Outside the therapy room, I love writing, gardening, and spending time with my family and friends. These are the places where I continue to learn, grow, and stay connected to what matters most.

Speaking & Professional Contributions

Alongside my clinical work, I've presented at conferences including IFPE, IARPP, and Division 39 over the years, most recently a 2026 panel on AI and psychoanalytic practice at IFPE. I served as President of the Northwest Alliance for Psychoanalytic Study from 2020–2024 and I'm a founding committee member of Speaking About Race, a continuing-education series I help organize each year on race, culture, and identity in clinical work. A full CV is available on request.

Areas of Expertise and Interest