I became a therapist because I'm endlessly interested in how people build their lives, and what happens when the life they've built stops fitting.
That's not a clinical interest for me. It's a human one. Before I was a therapist I spent fifteen years in community mental health, working with people in crisis, people navigating systems that weren't designed for them, people trying to hold things together under circumstances that would overwhelm anyone. That work taught me something I carry into every session now: people are remarkably resilient, and they're also remarkably good at hiding when they're struggling.
I started my own practice seven years ago because I wanted to work in a way that matched what I'd learned. Fewer clients, more attention, longer conversations, no rushing. I wanted a space where people could slow down enough to hear themselves think, and where I could be fully present for each person who walks through my door.
I don't believe therapy needs to be mysterious or overly clinical. I believe it works best when it feels like a real conversation with someone who's paying very close attention. That's what I try to offer.
How I got here
My path to private practice wasn't a straight line. I started my career in community mental health in the Denver metro area, working in crisis stabilization and outpatient programs. Eventually I moved to Boulder County and led a small therapy team through a county behavioral health program. It was intense, meaningful work. I learned how to sit with people in their hardest moments and how to be useful without trying to fix everything at once.
After fifteen years in that world I transitioned into private group practice, joining a well-established practice here in Boulder. I spent about ten years there seeing clients, mentoring newer clinicians, and getting clearer about the kind of therapist I wanted to be. I loved the work. But I also started to feel the limits of working inside someone else's structure: the scheduling pressures, the caseload expectations, the small compromises that add up over time.
Seven years ago I opened my own practice. It wasn't a dramatic leap. It was more like finally having a space that matched how I'd always wanted to work: a small number of clients, genuine attention for each one, and the freedom to let therapy unfold at the pace it actually needs.
Credentials
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), State of Colorado
- Master of Social Work, University of Denver
- Over 25 years of clinical experience across community mental health, group practice, and solo private practice
- Areas of additional training: psychodynamic psychotherapy, life transitions and developmental psychology, grief and loss, relationship dynamics, and mindfulness-based approaches
When I'm not in the office, I'm usually on a trail somewhere in the foothills, browsing the shelves at Boulder Book Store, or in my garden pretending I know more about perennials than I actually do.
Want to see if we're a good fit?
The best way to start is a conversation. I offer a free 20-minute phone consultation where we can talk about what's bringing you to therapy and whether my practice feels like the right place for you. No pressure, no obligation.
Schedule a free consultation