about me

About Me

I have been working with pregnant, birthing, and parenting individuals and families for over 25 years, and I love what I do!

I grew up in the Seattle area and went east for my undergraduate degree at Brandeis University. I moved back to Seattle after graduation and began working as a case manager with homeless youth and teenage parents. I loved this work and learned how to work with very complex family systems and help my clients overcome seemingly insurmountable situations.

In 2002, I completed my Master's degree in Applied Behavioral Science at the Leadership Institute of Seattle @ Bastyr University. In addition to learning clinical skills, my program was based on the concept that a good practitioner must also do their own therapeutic work. So, while learning and growing as a psychotherapist, I was also learning and growing as a person.

A few years after completing my Master’s degree, I realized how much I loved the pregnancy and birth aspect of my work. I had been to a few births where the birthing person had a doula, and I was intrigued by the idea of supporting families throughout their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period. So, I embarked on my training and certification as a birth doula. I started working as a doula for private and low-income families; I also helped develop and manage the Birth Doula Services program at Open Arms Perinatal Services, a community-based organization that serves hundreds of pregnant, birthing, and parenting families every year.

In 2008, we moved to Boulder, CO and I opened my doula and psychotherapy practice there. I also completed my training and certification as a Lamaze Childbirth Educator and Happiest Baby Educator.

My passion for working with families during the perinatal period, along with my training as a psychotherapist, led me to working with pregnant and postpartum trauma survivors. In 2011, I was invited by Penny Simkin, PT and Phyllis Klaus, LMFT to become a When Survivors Give Birth Approved Trainer. So, in addition to working with clients, I have spent the last 11 years training professionals on working with pregnant, birthing, and postpartum trauma survivors.

In 2016, we embarked on a sabbatical to Guatemala, and upon our return to the states decided to come back to the Seattle-area to be closer to family and the water.

In the years since our return to Washington, I have continued my work as a psychotherapist and trainer. In addition, I have: worked as a Child & Family Therapist for the Hope RISING Clinic for prenatally substance exposed children and their families; volunteered on the Prevention and Treatment of Traumatic Childbirth (PATTCh) board; and taught a course on trauma for the Department of Midwifery at Bastyr University

I have been married for 18 years and have two beautiful children. My children have taught me, first hand, the joy and intensity of parenthood and have certainly made me a more empathetic practitioner.

If you have any questions about me or my services, please contact me. I look forward to working with you!