I am honored to be working at Acacia and to work alongside a team of genuine, caring professionals that truly believe in the work they do. I value environments and relationships which are inclusive and accepting of all individuals. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist with 16 plus years of experience working in a variety of settings and roles. I received my BA in Art and Psychology from Hope College in Holland, MI in 2002 and my MA in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University in 2004. In addition to working at Acacia, I am a senior adjunct professor at California Lutheran University in their MS in Counseling Psychology (MFT focus) program. I love working with students, adult learners, and those who work in academia. I have worked with students at all ages for many years am particularly attuned to the unique challenges and stressors that can come with this role and setting. Whether as a therapist or professor, I am passionate about helping people to better understand and break through barriers in their lives (whether contextual, relational, or individual), that are preventing them from thriving, to find a deeper sense of purpose and connection to others.

I believe most problems we experience in life, whether small or more serious, often come about as a reaction to multiple variables and the larger contexts/systems in which we exist. When problems are viewed within their larger contexts (cultural, environmental, familial, biological, etc.) they can often be understood as valid cyclical reactions to than ideal circumstances over time. In addition, I have come to believe that the source of healing is found in not just one, but many aspects of one’s being, including emotional, psychological, physical, and spiritual.

It is because of this that I believe in taking a holistic and relational approach to healing and growth. It is also my belief and experience that the most life-giving and change producing relationships provide us with congruence, respect, support, and perspective as we seek freedom and meaning in our lives. Thus, it is extremely important for me to be genuine, honest, and congruent, and to develop a collaborative and non-judgmental atmosphere at the outset.

From there, depending on the best fit for my clients, I generally approach therapy from an integrative perspective combining contextual and relational approaches with psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, and mindfulness-based therapies.

And in my spare time, I love to read, run, bike, and spend time with my family in this beautiful city!