Personal Info:

Growing up in a military family meant moving often and living in five different states, so “where I’m from” has never had a simple answer. I moved to Oregon’s Willamette Valley in 2000 and felt it was the most beautiful place I’d ever lived, and I’ve been here ever since. I’m proud to call Oregon home.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time outdoors—walking my dogs, hiking, and camping—as well as music and going to plays. I come from a close-knit family that values humor, and I believe it can be one of the most powerful ways we cope with difficult experiences. As Dolly Parton said in the movie Steel Magnolias, “Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.”

Formal Education and Training: I have a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Murray State University.  My major coursework included clinical measurement and evaluation; psychotherapy; cognitive, developmental and social bases of behavior; and drugs, alcohol and behavior. 

During graduate school I focused on learning Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and that remains my primary treatment modality. CBT is sometimes referred to as the “Gold Standard” of psychotherapy treatment methods because of the extensive amount of scientific research indicating its effectiveness in treating mental health issues.

Two other treatment modalities that I practice also have good empirical evidence of effectiveness: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

I use aspects of all of the above three therapies in order to tailor an approach that fits the individual.