ABOUT ME

My Story

Born to a nurse and musician, my life changed at four years old when my parents divorced. I relocated with my mom and twin sister from our hometown in Kentucky to her hometown 1500 miles away in North Dakota, where we remained. Experiences from this time—especially of shame and overwhelm—led to emotional shutdown, dissociation, and hiding—becoming like a chameleon to go unnoticed and avoid criticism.

In the fifth grade, my teacher helped me blossom into my potential, although now as a perfectionist. I sought approval and acceptance, prioritizing fitting in and performing. I poured myself into what I excelled at and suppressed anything perceived as inadequate. I hid my emotional world, always pretending I was fine. By the end of adolescence and without a trusted adult to safely confide in or seek guidance, I felt I had raised myself.

Despite external success in academics and beginning a career as a high school chemistry teacher, I struggled personally and relationally. I realized I’d become hyper-independent, didn’t know how to rest, and easily reached burnout from unrealistic expectations. I searched for a solution in the natural health community as a fix for myself. Lifestyle and dietary changes provided some benefits and relief, but what I really needed was emotional and relational support.

Fast forward to motherhood, I knew I wanted something different for my children than what I received for myself. My parents didn’t have the resources and support to know how to support me in the ways I needed. I began learning about brain states, emotions—how to support, feel, and regulate them, and to help my children do the same. Overwhelmed by my feelings and unaware I had experienced trauma, I was unable to consciously and emotionally support my kids as desired. I needed help and guidance.

In 2018 I found the Consciously Parenting Project and finally received the support I needed for my own experiences so that I could make space for my children's experiences. I learned about myself, my needs, the needs of my kids, and how to support us. The program was so transformational that I joined the experiential training program to become a Holistic Family Consultant to support parents like I was supported. I recognized my desire was less about parenting and more about creating connected relationships. Additionally, I realized the influence of the partner relationship on parenting and trained in couples coaching at the Relational Life Institute to provide additional support.

Another prominent part of my story is that I was raised in the evangelical church. I left a decade ago and have since been deconstructing and intentionally reconstructing a more loving and compassionate spirituality. Some lingering negative impacts of this part of my upbringing persist, but the love and respect I’ve discovered have driven my passion for my work. Love and respect guide me, and are the motivation behind what I do.
I love people and authentic connection. When we are present with each other, we heal each other.

Having undergone extensive trauma work and training, I continue to shed layers, reconnect with my true self, and support others to connect with their true selves. In my family, I identify with the lost child role and feel a special desire to support those who identify with this role in having connected relationships. This isn't just theoretical; I meet my clients from experience and quality training while engaging in ongoing personal therapy, training, and supervision. Drawing from diverse influences—Nonviolent Communication, somatic psychology, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Compassionate Inquiry, Relational Life Therapy, Focalizing, pre/perinatal psychology, trauma healing, family constellations, Polyvagal theory, and neurobiology—I tailor my approach to meet my client’s specific needs.

Your unique story will differ from mine, but if it resonates, understand that you're not alone. I've experienced profound support and care and am passionate about extending the same to others. If you'd like to explore with me, please see ways to work together. I refrain from sharing testimonials for individual work. I recognize that others' experiences and needs may differ from yours, thus providing different results. Instead, I encourage you to listen to your body's response—whether a yes or a no—and I honor that impulse. My approach will not suit everyone, and that's okay. If we’re a good fit, we both win!

Apart from my personal history and professional life, I am a homeschooling mom to my 3 daughters; neurodivergent; and passionate about holistic natural living. Some of my interests include herbalism, cooking/baking, singing, dancing, playing music, reading, spending time in nature, and finding ways to create.