I am privileged to have served Nashville and surrounding communities since 2000 in my work as a psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and professor. I have worked with children, adults, and families during that time, providing treatment for a wide range of issues. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and my Master's in Clinical Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University.  Since then I have provided outpatient therapy to students and faculty at Vanderbilt University and counseled children and adults through various in-home therapy programs. At my current private practice I work with children, adults, and couples.

My experiences with hurting individuals and couples continually guide me in my own growth as a professional. Understanding the impact of early life experiences, trauma, attachment with important caregivers, and the vast mystery of our brains has led me to more extensive training in these areas. I am Level 2 certified in the use of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and find this treatment helpful not just for PTSD but for various kinds of stuck thinking. In therapy I enjoy helping others gain consciousness of their own patterns, minds, and bodies. I believe a lack of awareness in these areas prevents healing but with guidance and careful attention, we can learn to let our emotions serve as guides to what we most want and need. I strive to embody and encourage in others an attitude of mindfulness, self-compassion, and curiosity about one’s inner landscape. Most of all, I’ve developed deep respect for the power of the therapeutic relationship, and that when people feel seen and heard by another person, they become more capable of seeing and hearing their own authentic selves. 

One unique element I bring to psychotherapy is my experience in creative writing as a writer, mentor, and professor. I have poetry published in various journals such as All Around Us: Poems from the Valley, New Millennium Writings, and the online journal Rockvale Review.  I have witnessed the healing power of words while working as a Poet Mentor to adolescents during their inpatient psychiatric stay at Vanderbilt Hospital as well as my time as professor at Middle Tennessee State University teaching Creativity and Personal Growth.  I teach students and clients that the blank page is always a welcome friend, a place where feelings can be contained and honored. Throughout the year I provide various therapeutic groups and workshops, so be sure to check the Events page for any upcoming important dates.