Education, Professional Credentials, & Experience

 

I offer a wide range of therapeutic modalities and experience with an empathetic, compassionate, and non-judgmental approach directed by each client's individual needs. My quest is to develop a safe,

comfortable, and trusting relationship with each client as we explore their experiences and the direction they want to pursue. I help individuals discover themselves and optimize their agency as they seek to understand and manage life's challenges.  

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Together we evaluate challenging circumstances and create an individual plan that will enable the most healthy, thriving, and balanced life and relationships possible. We explore healthy practices in all areas of life. Depending on individual preferences, I can offer a spiritual or secular-based approach to therapy, and/or coaching, and provide the ideal methods for each client's optimal well-being. I am also passionate about helping people explore and navigate their unique, individual faith/spiritual journeys.

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I have a master's degree in counseling and am a licensed clinical mental health counselor (CMHC) in Utah. I have been counseling since 1997.  

I am certified in:​

• IFS (Internal Family Systems)

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) 

• Trauma Healing (with Bessel van der Kolk)

• HeartMath

• ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy, like EMDR on steroids)

• Addiction Recovery Therapy

• Betrayal Trauma Therapy

 

 

 

 

I taught high school for 20 years.  I also worked as a program director for a girls' facility and a program director for 2 young men's ranches.  I work with youth, young adults, and adults. ​

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I have had the privilege of helping thousands of individuals, couples, families, and relationships of all sorts find help, healing, and balance through practical, and sustainable ways. I have found great joy in life serving people, helping them learn and grow through their life experiences, finding clarity, connection, peace, and happiness in the journey!  It has been so rewarding to witness thousands of lives change, and the generational ripple effects of those changes over the years! 

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Areas of expertise:​​

• Healthy Relationships

• Marriage, Couples, Family, and Relationships of All Kinds

• Faith Crisis/FaithTransition

• Sexual Shame Recovery

• Healthy Sexuality 

• Religious Trauma

• Individuation

• Shadow Work

• Inner Child Work/Re-Parenting

• Betrayal Trauma

• Compulsive Behaviors Including Pornography/Sexual;     Alcohol/Substances; Gaming, etc.

• Anger Management/Emotional Regulation

• Addiction

• Trauma

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Suicidal Tendencies

• Mindfulness

• Somatic Work​​

 

In my training and experience with sexual addiction recovery therapy*, I became aware of the pervasive shame culture around sexual issues. Too often, compulsive sexual behaviors are misdiagnosed as sexual addiction, causing undue psychological harm. I am committed to creating more awareness around shame (in all areas of life), making shame recovery therapy more available, as well as promoting principles of healthy sexuality.

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*The DSM does not currently recognize pornography or sex addiction as a valid diagnosis. Compulsive or problematic sexual behavior may be symptomatic of underlying issues, and/or used as a coping mechanism to alleviate stress, loneliness, mental health issues, etc. I use an educational, sex-positive approach to help individuals gain clarity and sovereignty as they learn to reclaim and manage their sexuality according to their own chosen beliefs. ​

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I enjoy:

• Spending time in nature

• Biking

• Yoga

• Hiking

• Fishing (Fly & ice, etc.)

• Spending quality time with family and friends