As your therapist…

I provide inclusive care that is affirming of all identities.

I celebrate diversity in all its forms, from race to gender, sexuality, religion, ideology, etc. I believe in honoring and creating space for both the qualities that make us unique and the ways in which we’re all connected as humans.

Creating a safe space matters.

Because I’m a trauma-informed therapist, I work at your pace. Trauma takes away feelings of physical and emotional safety, sense of autonomy, and ability to self-advocate. My goal is to help you reconnect with your wants, needs, and confidence and be in charge of the direction of your own mental health care.

Curiosity is one of my core values.

If you’re here, that might mean you’re curious, which is a great place to start. My curiosity allows me to stay connected to my clients throughout our relationships, from our initial phone call, to goal setting, to our final session, and all the important steps in between. Let’s connect and learn more about each other:

It’s all in the name.

My earliest memory of the power of multi-generational connection comes from combing through a family jewel box. Somehow, pieces of my mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother all ended up in one place, symbolizing how I contain not just their genes but also their stories. I’ve since been drawn to physical representations of meaningful people and events in my life.

My own personal journey into ancestry research and healing generational trauma significantly influences how I understand and help others. I’ve learned that our family histories illuminate our strengths, pain points, survival skills, and core beliefs. Knowledge of these “family heirlooms” empowers us to choose what traits or stories to hold onto, what to let go of, and what we want to pass onto the next generation.

Getting to know my clients’ family histories allows us to strike a balance between acceptance and choices - a balance that leads to a greater sense of wellbeing.

Pictured: three generations of my family

I believe that strength, coping, and healing capabilities exist within you, just as a jewel box holds value and beauty. I’m here to shed light on these assets and help you connect with your inner resources. Together, we can work to foster hope, create change, and build the life you want to live.

My education, training, and experience

  • Licensure

    Licensed Marital and Family Therapist in TN

    License #1847

    I have fulfilled the educational and supervision requirements to obtain licensure as a marital and family therapist in TN. I complete yearly continuing education courses to learn best practices and maintain licensure in TN.

  • Education and Training

    B.A. in Psychology, University of Southern California

    M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy, University of San Diego

    Clinically trained eating disorder therapist, UCSD Eating Disorders Center for Treatment and Research

    EMDR-trained trauma therapist, E.C. Hurley’s Levels 1 & 2 training courses

  • Clinical Experience

    Working directly with multi-disciplinary teams of doctors, dietitians, and medication providers.

    Treating clients with eating disorders and various mental health conditions at higher levels of care including residential, partial-hospitalization, and intensive outpatient settings.

Read more about my approach to a few of my specialties:

Affirming therapy for LGBTQ+ folks

All people are welcome in my office. I understand how important it is for members of the LGBTQ+ community to find safe spaces where they don’t have to worry about judgment or discrimination. Over the years, it’s been my honor to build relationships of trust, safety, and healing with clients from the LGBTQ+ community.

Eating disorder treatment from a Health at Every Size approach

Contrary to what diet culture teaches, healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. It’s the perpetual striving to be thinner that keeps us sick. The Health at Every Size (HAES) research teaches us that health encompasses much more than what we eat. Health is also about safe relationships, financial security, joyful movement, and having the freedom to choose if and how we engage with these various measures of wellbeing.

Trauma therapy at your pace

If you’ve experienced traumatic relationships or events, you may feel overwhelmed by the idea of recalling or sharing details, especially with a stranger. We always begin trauma work by equipping you with coping skills. You as the client get to decide if, when, and how much of your story to share. With extensive experience treating clients with developmental, sexual, and religious trauma, I welcome the opportunity to help you re-establish safety in your body and environment.

About my community engagement

  • I serve on the board of the Nashville chapter of the International Association of Eating Disorder Providers. IAEDP is a community of eating disorder providers committed to staying up to date on the latest and best practices in eating disorder treatment. As Education Chair, I am a liaison for the speakers who present at our continuing education events.

  • I have the honor of facilitating a support group that is offered by the non-profit, Renewed Eating Disorders Support. This bi-monthly group is for women 18+ in any stage of eating disorder recovery to support each other with the guidance of a licensed therapist. Click here to learn more or register.

  • It’s been a pleasure to present on my clinical experiences treating eating disorders to classes at Belmont, Trevecca, and Vanderbilt. Click here to book a presentation at your school, practice, or event.