ABOUT ME

My Story

Born to a nurse and musician, my life changed at four years old when my parents divorced. I relocated with my mom and twin sister 1500 miles from Kentucky to North Dakota, where I grew up. Experiences from this time—especially of shame and overwhelm—led to emotional shutdown, dissociation, and hiding myself—becoming like a chameleon to blend in, and feeling invisible.

In the fifth grade, my teacher helped me blossom into my potential, although now as a perfectionist. I sought approval and acceptance, prioritizing fitting in and performing. I poured myself into what I excelled at and suppressed anything perceived as inadequate. I hid my emotional world, always pretending I was fine. By the end of adolescence and without a trusted adult to safely confide in or seek guidance, I felt I had raised myself.

Despite external success in academics and beginning a career as a high school chemistry teacher, I struggled personally and relationally. On top of my closed-off and shutdown demeanor, I’d become hyper-independent, didn’t know how to rest, and easily reached burnout from unrealistic expectations. I searched for a solution in the natural health community as a fix for myself. Lifestyle and dietary changes provided some benefits and relief, but what I needed was emotional and relational support.

Fast forward to motherhood, I knew I wanted something different for my children than what I received for myself. My parents didn’t have the resources and support to know how to support me in the ways I needed. I began learning about brain states, and emotions—how to support, feel, and regulate them, and to help my children do the same. Overwhelmed by my feelings and unaware I had experienced trauma, I was unable to consciously and emotionally support my kids as desired. I needed help and guidance.

In 2018 I found the Consciously Parenting Project and finally received the support I needed for my own experiences so that I be with and see my children's experiences. I learned about myself, my needs, the needs of my kids, and how to support us. The program was so transformational that I joined the experiential training program to become a Holistic Family Consultant to support parents like I was supported. At this point, I recognized my desire to support was less about parenting and more about guiding others to connect to their own internal guidance system. Additionally, I realized the influence of the partner relationship on parenting and trained in couples coaching at the Relational Life Institute to provide additional layers of support.

Another prominent part of my story is that I was raised in strict Christian Evangelicalism. I left Evangelicalism in 2014 due to not seeing the love and mission of Jesus reflected there. I have since found and understand love more profoundly and have been deconstructing and intentionally reconstructing a more compassionate spirituality based on that love. I still hold on to some elements of my faith and respect the differences in others’ spiritual journeys. Some lingering negative impacts of this part of my upbringing persist, but the love and respect I’ve discovered since, have driven my passion for my work. They guide me and are the motivation behind what I do. I love people and authentic connection. When we are present with each other, we heal each other.

Having undergone extensive trauma work and training, I continue to shed layers, reconnect with my true self, and support others to connect with their true selves. In my family, I identify with the lost child role and feel a special desire to support those who identify with this role in having connected relationships. This work isn't theoretical; I meet my clients from experience and quality training while engaging in ongoing personal therapy, guidance, and supervision. Drawing from diverse influences—Nonviolent Communication, somatic psychology, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Compassionate Inquiry, Relational Life Therapy, Focalizing, pre/perinatal psychology, trauma healing, family constellations, Polyvagal theory, and neurobiology—I tailor my approach to meet my client’s specific needs.

Your unique story will differ from mine, but if any of it resonates, understand that you're not alone. I've experienced profound support and care and am passionate about extending the same to others. If you'd like to explore with me, please see ways to work together. I refrain from sharing testimonials for individual work. I recognize that others' experiences and needs may differ from yours, thus providing different results. Instead, I encourage you to listen to your body's response—whether a yes or a no—and I honor that impulse. My approach will not suit everyone, and that's okay. If we’re a good fit, we both win!

Apart from my personal history and professional life, I am a homeschooling mom to my 3 daughters; identify with ADHD; and am passionate about holistic natural living. Some of my interests include herbalism, cooking/baking, singing, dancing, playing music, reading, spending time in nature, and finding ways to create. To hear more about me, my journey, and how I’ve gotten to where I am today, listen to this podcast episode where I was a guest on the Seeking Joy Podcast.