About me…
My professional journey toward becoming a therapist began more than 30 years ago. As a nursing assistant, I worked in post-operative, sub-acute, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing settings. The experience that shaped me most deeply, however, was my time in hospice care, working alongside patients and their loved ones at the end of life.
It was there that I came to understand how profoundly people long to be seen, understood, and accompanied — especially in moments of grief, uncertainty, and transition. Sitting with loss, vulnerability, and meaning-making awakened in me a lasting commitment to helping others heal. What began in nursing evolved into a deeper calling toward psychotherapy.
Some of the concerns that bring us to therapy can ease relatively quickly. Many, however, are more complex and require time, patience, and thoughtful attention. I believe our work together is not only about relieving distress, but about creating meaningful, lasting change — change that brings you closer to what you want for yourself. I strive to cultivate the connection, attunement, and care necessary for this work to unfold.
Clients often describe my approach as authentic, grounded, and interactive. I work from a Relational Psychoanalytic and Jungian perspective, believing that meaningful change grows from a strong therapeutic relationship — one that includes thoughtful reflection, honest dialogue, and mutual engagement. Together, we build a trusting partnership that supports real and sustainable movement in your life.
I work with individual adults and couples from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and belief systems. You’re welcome to explore my Specialties page to learn more about my areas of focus.
A little more about me…
Outside of my clinical work, I value time with my spouse, camping throughout the desert Southwest, tending to our desert landscape at home, and caring for a growing collection of indoor plants. I enjoy photography, cooking good dinners, writing and sketching, learning new instruments (the harmonica is my latest endeavor), traveling to familiar and new places, and sharing life with our cats. I remain curious about the world — sometimes even chasing weather when I can.
Experience and Curriculum Vita
CURRENT LICENSE AND AFFILIATIONS
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist: WA #LF 61159909; OR #T1329; CO #928; NV #1020
- Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor III OR #18-R-41
- Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor NV #331
- National Certified Counselor #95857
- American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy Approved Supervisor
- Fellow Member – American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy
- Member – Nevada Friends of Jung
- Member – Nevada Counseling Association
- Member – Washington Mental Health Counselors Association
- Member – International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy
PAST LICENSE AND AFFILIATIONS
- Nevada Association of Marriage & Family Therapy, President – NV (2012-2017)
- Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor Approved Supervisor -NV
- Licensed Alcohol Counselor – CO
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist – VA
- Member – Southern Nevada HIV Prevention Planning Council (2013-2017)
- Member – International Critical Incident Stress Foundation
- Member – Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health
- Child and Family Investigator – CO
EDUCATION
Pacifica Graduate Institute
PhD Depth Psychology ABD 2014
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Master of Science, Counseling December 2004
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology May 2002
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Private Practice, Psychotherapist/Supervisor
January 2005 – Present
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, MFT Program, Adjunct Graduate Professor
August 2007 – December 2017
Maria Droste Counseling Center, Denver, Psychotherapist/Supervisor
March 2011 – May 2013
University of Colorado, Denver, CO, MFT Program, Adjunct Graduate Professor
January 2012 – May 2013
Bridge Counseling Associates, Las Vegas, Psychotherapist
June 2003 – January 2006
Community Counseling Center, Las Vegas, Intern Psychotherapist
December 2002 – March 2003
SafeNest – Domestic Crisis, Las Vegas, Crisis Response Team Member
January 2001 – May 2003
OTHER CURRENT RELATED EXPERIENCE
North Las Vegas Police Department EAP and Critical Incident Counselor – Jan 2010 to May 2011
Psychotherapist, Horizon Academy: Residential Treatment Center, Amargosa Valley, NV – Jan 2006 to Jan 2008
COURSES TAUGHT
Ethical & Legal Issues: Marriage and Family Therapy – Graduate MFT (UNLV) – Spring 2017
Advanced Practicum – Graduate MFT (UNLV) – Spring 2016, Fall 2016, Fall 2017
Internship – Graduate MFT (UCD) – Spring 2012 & Spring 2013
Advanced Family Assessment– Graduate MFT (UCD) – Spring 2012 & Spring 2013
Contemporary Marriage and Families – Undergraduate (UNLV) – Fall 2007 & Spring 2008
Successful Couple & Marital Relationships – Undergraduate (UNLV) – Fall 2007 & Spring 2008
Personal Growth – Undergraduate (UNLV) – Fall 2008 & Spring 2009
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
AAMFT Annual Conference, September 2015 Austin Texas – Ethics in a Modern World
NAMFT Annual Conference, October 2015 Las Vegas – Ethics in Supervision
NAMFT Monthly Workshop 2014-present Las Vegas – Supervisor Ethics & Case Consultation