a calm, nurturing, and non-judgmental presence.
experience complex trauma and grief.
empathetic witnessing and deep listening.
is collaborative, client-centered, and trauma-informed.
is that each client is the expert of their own lived experiences and the therapeutic relationship is essential to the therapeutic process and the impetus to therapeutic change.
My practice is mostly informed by humanistic and person-centered frameworks.
I often take a non-directive approach but provide structure if needed. I do my best to meet people where they are and adapt to their needs when we are in the therapeutic space. I often describe this as imagining we are both in a car: you are driving, and I’m sitting in the passenger seat. You are making the decisions about which routes and avenues we take. I am there as a companion on your journey, offering support and guidance as needed. I also brought my therapeutic road map in case we need to pull that out along the way—to reassess where we are going and explore alternate routes if you’re looking for more structure, support, or guidance.. My reasoning for taking this approach is rooted in my humanistic view of the therapeutic relationship, which holds that every person has an innate ability to heal and grow—and that they ultimately know what path is best for themselves. I believe that meaningful change happens when people feel safe, respected, and empowered to reconnect with their own inner wisdom.
I believe the therapeutic relationship is essential to therapeutic work and change. I believe people need to feel safe, respected, and genuinely understood in order to open up and do the kind of work therapy asks of them.
The people I work with might experience art therapy or expressive arts interventions and mindfulness-based, grounding, or body-based practices.
I am most passionate about working with those who have experienced varied forms of trauma. I am especially passionate about working with individuals who experience Complex PTSD. I also have a passion for working with grief and loss, end-of-life, and bereavement.
I provide talk therapy along with a range of art therapy and creative interventions, tailored to the needs of my focus populations. These may include visual art-making, writing, dance, or movement-based practices. I also incorporate mindfulness-based practices with many clients, offering these tools in ways that align with each person’s preferences and comfort level.I work from a trauma-informed, body-based perspective when supporting individuals who have experienced various forms of trauma. Across all my work, I prioritize going at the client’s pace and creating a space where people feel safe, respected, and supported in exploring what feels right for them.For those navigating grief, loss, end-of-life, or bereavement, I use interventions informed by the dual process model. This includes moving between loss-oriented work—such as processing memories and emotions—and restoration-oriented work, like rebuilding routines, exploring new roles, and supporting self-care.
You are looking for a safe container for deep processing, someone who takes a gentle and nurturing approach to challenging you, and someone who takes a creative approach to healing.
I honor each person’s individual experience and believe that every individual I work with is the expert of their own lived experience and healing process. I believe each person holds their own inner wisdom, natural resources for healing, and an innate capacity for growth and self-direction. The therapeutic process is guided by the client—they define their goals and determine the pace and direction of our work. I believe human connection is healing, and that the therapeutic relationship is often the driving force behind meaningful change. My focus is on a person’s strengths, potential, and full human experience—not just a diagnosis. I see people as more than symptoms or labels—they are whole beings with emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions.
Gentle, safe, nurturing, and non-judgmental.
My lived experiences as a human and clinical experiences and interests give me a unique understanding of Complex PTSD and grief and loss.
Art making (my favorites are watercolor and darkroom photography)
Spending time with my partner
Spending time in nature
Listening to music/going to shows
Flow Arts
Playful Activities (pretty much anything that lights up my inner child)
My background informs my therapeutic approach in many ways. My own life experiences have deepened my empathy and given me a more personal understanding of what it can feel like to navigate trauma, loss, and major life transitions. Growing up in an economically disadvantaged background has shaped my awareness of how economic and systemic stressors impact mental health. As a woman, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, someone living with a chronic illness, and of Romani heritage, I bring sensitivity to issues around identity, safety, access, and belonging. Having grown up in a region where conservative religious values were a dominant part of the culture and often imposed on individuals, I understand the complex ways spiritual or religious experiences can affect one’s sense of self.
In my practice, I approach diversity and inclusion through a deeply person-centered lens. I believe that every individual brings their own unique experiences, cultural background, and worldview to therapy, and I strive to create a safe, respectful, and affirming space where all identities are valued. I prioritize listening with openness and curiosity, allowing clients to lead the way in expressing how their identities shape their journey. By honoring each person’s individuality and lived experience, I aim to support authentic connection and empower clients to explore their strengths in the context of their whole selves.
I have had the privilege of working with individuals from a wide range of marginalized communities. This includes LGBTQIA+ clients, BIPOC individuals, immigrants and undocumented individuals, people impacted by chronic illness or disability (physical, cognitive, and mental health), and those navigating housing insecurity or homelessness. I’ve also worked with people affected by generational poverty and classism, individuals who have been incarcerated, survivors of interpersonal trauma, individuals with experiences in the child welfare system, older adults facing ageism, and those navigating religious trauma or identity-based oppression.My approach is grounded in cultural humility, an awareness of systemic oppression, and a deep respect for each person’s lived experience. I strive to create a therapeutic space where clients can feel safe, affirmed, and supported in exploring the ways their identities and experiences shape their lives and their healing.
I am most passionate about advocacy in the following areas:
Arts Advocacy
Aging with Dignity & Elder Issues
Collective Healing & Community Care
Disability Justice & Accessibility
Psychedelic Integration Therapy
Feminist & Gender Justice Approaches
Harm Reduction Approaches
I have lived experience with the following communities:
Living with chronic illness
Coming from an economically disadvantaged background
Intergenerational Trauma & Healing
LGBTQ+
My graduate training had a strong focus on multicultural competence, cultural humility, and social justice frameworks. This included coursework and clinical training that emphasized working with clients from diverse racial, cultural, socioeconomic, gender, and religious backgrounds. I was trained to consider systems of power, privilege, and oppression in the therapeutic process, and to approach each client with cultural curiosity and respect. I continue to deepen this work through ongoing education, self-reflection, and a commitment to cultural humility in my clinical practice.
Yes. I have experience working with individuals from a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds. I approach each client’s background with cultural humility, openness, and deep respect for how their cultural or spiritual identity informs their life and healing process.
Some personal interests that inform my approach include art making, flow arts, and dancing. Art has been an integral part of my own healing process, and I believe creative expression can be a powerful tool for growth and self-discovery. Connecting with my body through movement and dance has also been a catalyst for my own healing and sense of well-being. Additionally, I enjoy working with tarot; exploring symbolism and tuning into inner knowing and intuition are deeply aligned with the core values of art therapy and the creative process.
I was born on Halloween and love all things Halloween. I love hulahooping and doing tricks with my many hulahoops. When I was a kid I wanted to be an art teacher or a veterinarian. My favorite thing about being an art therapist is connecting with others and making art together.
Outside of my professional role, I’m passionate about learning how others make art, exploring new art techniques, studying different philosophies and spiritual beliefs, and learning about other cultures. I love discovering the many ways people find meaning, express themselves, and connect to the world around them.
I love everything Halloween, Gilmore Girls, and Squishmallows.
Active Pursuits:
Creative Expressions:
Learning & Growth:
Community Connections:
Simple Pleasures
My education journey began with a bachelor’s of fine arts. In my undergraduate classwork, I also completed additional psychology courses. I completed my bachelor’s degree in December of 2014. I then went on to complete a master’s degree in art therapy in June of 2024. Much of my clinical experience and graduate training has been in community mental health settings working with adults.
My choice to become a therapist was inspired by my deep passion for meaningful connection and my love for art. I was drawn to this profession because I find purpose in supporting others through their healing journeys. I chose to specialize in art therapy because of the profound role art has played in my own healing—offering insight, expression, and transformation when words weren’t enough.
My current professional growth goals are: Expand knowledge and understanding in focus areas (trauma recovery & grief and loss) by obtaining specialized training, certifications, supervision, and engaging in self-reflection. Contributing to program development or community-based initiatives that integrate trauma-informed care, expressive therapies, grief and loss, or end-of-life support. Offer workshops utilizing art therapy, movement, somatic practices, and holistic wellness frameworks to serve focus area populations.
Formal Degrees:
Credentials:
Professional Affiliations:
Trainings:
Conferences:
I’m currently working on a poster presentation for the 2025 American Art Therapy Conference, which involves a previous and ongoing self-study and research on how bereaved counselors can care for themselves while supporting bereaved clients.
I believe the future of therapy should fully embrace the whole person, weaving together the physical, mental, emotional, cultural, and spiritual parts of who we are.
I’m passionate about advancing trauma recovery, deepening grief and loss work, expanding the use and understanding of art therapy, and strengthening the focus on care for the therapist. I believe that tending to the well-being of both clients and therapists is crucial for truly sustainable, compassionate practice.
I am currently exploring Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Polyvagal Theory as frameworks for trauma recovery, and I am also interested in deepening my approaches to grief and loss work through additional research and integrative practices.
I hope to support other therapists in their professional growth by offering workshops and clinical supervision. Beyond that, I’m also passionate about contributing to the field through writing and collaborating on projects that promote mental health, art therapy, and the well-being of both clients and therapists.
Advance trauma recovery practices that honor the whole person — body, mind, emotions, culture, and spirit.
Deepen and expand approaches to grief and loss work, integrating creative and expressive therapies.
Promote and develop art therapy as a powerful, accessible tool for healing across diverse communities.
Support the well-being and growth of other therapists through workshops, clinical supervision, and mentorship.
Advocate for increased focus on therapist self-care and sustainable, compassionate practice within the mental health field.
Contribute to culturally humble, socially just care by uplifting marginalized voices and addressing systemic barriers in mental health.
Engage in writing and collaborating on projects that advance the fields of art therapy and mental health.
Continue personal and professional growth through ongoing study and integration of emerging frameworks (e.g., Internal Family Systems, Polyvagal Theory).
