Growing up in the church, I started volunteering as soon as they would let me, learning to teach in a Sunday school classroom. Studying at UC Davis, I chose to study Human Development because I always knew that caring for people would be the root of my professional work. I started my career in an educational setting, teaching 1st grade. I LOVED my time in the classroom. As I went through the day in and day out of my time as a teacher, I was struck by the significant need I saw for emotional support in kids and families. I took what I thought was a pause in my teaching career when I had my first child and though I planned to return to the classroom, God had other plans. In 2016 I started my counseling training, and began counseling formally in 2018. Though my primary role since then has been providing individual couneling, teaching continues to be a passion that I get to use in churches and conferences settings.

I hold a Ph.D. in Clinical Pastoral Counseling from Colorado Theological Seminary and am licesed through the the National Christian Counselor's Association. While my training is rooted in Temperament Therapy, I hold advanced certifications in the following areas:

• Crisis and Abuse Therapy

• Marriage and Family Therapy

• Child and Adolescent Therapy

• Group Therapy

I also have Masters Degrees in Education (UC Davis) and Biblical Counseling (Trinity Theological Seminary), and an active California Teaching Credential (Multiple Subject).

I am a wife and mom of two awesome kids. I love reading and always have a stack of books I'm working my way through. As a family we enjoy kayaking, and in the summer months many of our weekends are spent on a lake floating and exploring. Additionally, I am very active in my local church. I serve on the Women' Ministry Team and direct the K-2nd grade program with the local AWANA program, a ministry I've served with for about 10 years. 

I am also passionate about chocolate chip cookies. :)