About Me

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have been fully licensed since 2008.

I grew up in Portland, OR and  have been working in the mental health field for over 20 years. I began my work at the age of 19 working as a direct care worker in a group home for adults with developmental disabilities and mental illness. I continued to work in group homes during College and completed my BS degree in Sociology at Portland State University in 2000 and completed my Masters degree in Social Work at Walla Walla College in WA in 2004. 

During my 1st year Master's program in 2002  I had a practicum as a community support clinician in which I provided in home support to high risk clients who suffered chronic mental illness. During my 2nd year in my Master's program 2003 I was a paid intern in the position of Therapist-in Training and recieved exceptional superivison by the agency Director.  I saw individual clients and co-led a women's support group.

After graduating in 2004 I accepted a position with Umatilla County Mental Health clinic as a children and family therapist and worked with kids who suffered from severe emotional disorders.  I later moved into the position of a Community Crisis Worker and provided assessment and brief solution focused therapy to children and adults who presented in a community setting with suicidial or homicidal thinking, and at times coordinated psychiatric inpatient holds for those meeting criteria. 

Later 2004 I relocated to Lake Havasu City, AZ where I could be close to my family and took the position of Crisis/Intake Worker at Mohave Mental Health clinic.  There I completed intake/assessments on new clients and referred for ongoing therapy and saw walk in clients who were in crisis and needed immediate stabilization in which I would do brief solution focused therapy and safety planning, to include support systems, and work towards problem resolution. 

In 2006 I moved to LAS VEGAS, NV for a job offer from the State Psychiatric Hospital for adults and completed my licensing internship there in 2008 and continued working there until 2011.  I worked with adults who suffered major depression, anxiety, suicidal/homicidal thinking, grief/loss, psychosis and more.  I helped clients with thier discharge needs, ran group therapy and individual brief short term therapy as needed. 

After leaving the state hospital in 2011 to stay home part time after my 2nd child, I worked on the weekends per diem for Montevista Psychiatric Hospital.  I primarily ran psychiatric group therapy for kids, teens, and adults with some individual therapy as needed.

In 2012 I was offered a position with Dr. Rosenman's agency-Desert Behavioral Health that I couldn't turn down and thus returned back to work.  I have been providing individual therapy to children and adults at Desert Behavioral Health for the last 3 years.  In 2015 I began my private practice and have truly found my zen.  I love the field I chose, or that chose me, and feel honored and blessed to be able to work with so many people and help others in the inevitable struggles in life.