I have an eclectic approach to therapy with roots in Person-Centered care, valuing authenticity, vulnerability, honesty and unconditional positive regard.
I received my Bachelors of Arts in Clinical Psychology and Applied Music from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Upon graduation, I went on to pursue my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northern Illinois University, as well as a professional certification in trauma-informed care. After graduating, I spent a short time in private practice before working on the front lines of mental health in community mental health, serving those with low income. During this time, I worked with various age groups and an even wider range of concerns. These include complex trauma, depression, anxiety, anger management, grief, gender/sexual identity, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and more. Being in community mental health, I learned that flexibility and creativity are of utmost importance when providing quality care for those I work with.
My goal is to make you feel as comfortable as possible during our time together, since when we feel comfortable with the person we are talking to, discussing difficult topics tends to feel more natural. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and often incorporate ideas of reality therapy, existential therapy, as well as bringing in external connections such as movies, video games, music, and other forms of media to help process whatever you need to talk about.
It brings me joy to know that as a counselor I am able to reach out to so many and assist them on this journey that we call life. Outside of therapy, I love to cook and grill, especially continuing on traditional recipes from my great grandmother. I also play Dungeons and Dragons with friends, read, listen to audio dramas, play video games, listen to A LOT of music, and play trombone as a member of my local community band.
