I believe whenever anyone experiences mental health struggles it is the combination of multiple unique variables and life events which manifests into the “perfect storm.”  My approach involves joining individuals in pursuit of resolving the unresolved, moving the unconscious to the conscious, and transforming wounds into reclaimed resiliency.  I wholeheartedly maintain the belief that people do not have missing pieces.  Instead, I believe everyone has all the pieces to their life puzzle, but we all need help finding, recognizing, and identifying our pieces when the perfect life storm arises.  I view my role as just this, helping people increase insight into the origins of the identified problem to attain serenity.

My philosophy is going through the uncomfortableness and facing fears together instead of going around or avoiding vulnerabilities.  From working with people throughout the years I have learned that hope and time are not effective predictors of healing.  While hope is a critical component to maintain, it is a poor strategy when utilized by itself.  Similarly, while time can sometimes help by decreasing the intensity of an event, time alone does not heal.  Therefore, I believe in going through the unresolved and the unknowns to gain genuine insight and peace.

When away from the office, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, with my children being the center of my life.  I enjoy staying active and will participate in just about any kind of physical activity, with weight training being my favorite method of staying physically and mentally healthy.  I admit it is difficult at times to maintain my devotion, but I remain a loyal Minnesota Vikings fan.  I “bleed purple” and participate in the “SKOL” chant on many Minnesota winter Sundays!  I also am an avid fisherman and take several “up north” trips each year with family and friends.

Background

Bachelors: Minnesota State University, Mankato, 2008.
Masters: Adler Graduate School, 2012.
PhD. (ABD): Walden University, anticipated graduation – spring 2025.

Current license(s):
-Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
–Board Approved Supervisor

-Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
–Board Approved Supervisor

Specialized Certifications:
-Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) trained.
-Certified Dialectical Behavioral Therapist (C-DBT)
-ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider

Population: Adults

Therapy

• Trauma (PTSD) and Stress-Related Disorders
• Co-occurring substance abuse disorders and mental health disorders
• Eating Disorders
• Phobias
• Police, EMT’s, Firefighters, and military veterans
• ADHD
• Marriage/Couples therapy
• Anxiety and Depression
• Emergency Personnel, PTSD/Trauma-related disorders, ADHD, Co-occurring Disorders, Anxiety, and Depressive Disorders.

Population: Adults

Psychological Assessments

• Diagnostic Assessments
• Full Psychological Assessments
• Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
• Personality and Psychopathology Assessments
• Comprehensive Attention Deficit and Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) Assessments
• Pre-Employment Assessments

Treatment Modalities:

• Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Schema Therapy (ST)
• Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IP)
• Adlerian Psychotherapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Solution Focused Therapy

Professional Affiliations: 

EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT)
American Psychological Association (APAGS)
American Counseling Association (ACA)
Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
Minnesota Addiction Professionals (MNAP)
North American Society for Adlerian Psychology (NASAP)
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
American Psychological Association (APA)
American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress (AAETS)
Backing The Blue Line
The Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE)
911 At Ease International (911AEI)