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My Story

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Thank you for visiting!

The purpose of this page is to share my story about how I got here and what I hope to do. I am trying to practice what I preach, and share who I am and be transparent about my purpose and intentions for my business.

How I Got Here

My journey to become a Psychologist has been a roller coaster, but I graduated with my Ph.D. in 2018 and was independently licensed (i.e., I am not required to have supervision) as a Psychologist in 2019.

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I would describe the start of my journey as a stumble with some encouragement and luck. I explored various majors within social science as an undergraduate student, but was always drawn back to psychology. I also had a couple of professors that encouraged me to continue pursuing psychology. I was guided towards a program to help minorities and women pursue higher education in STEM fields, and with more encouragement applied to graduate schools.

 

I was accepted into one Ph.D. program in Michigan. At 21 years old I made the decision to move from Colorado, where I lived since I was 8 years old, and get a Ph.D. in Michigan. I had no clue what I what was doing! I typically describe this part of my journey as a hot mess, I think people who were around me at that time would agree. I had a lot of growing up to do, personally and professionally. I questioned what I was doing several times and the process took about 6 years longer than it was supposed to. But, I did it. I am happy I did it, I do love psychology, but I would likely do things very differently if I had to do it again.

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I have worked hard to grow and try to use these experiences to help others. My career has not been what I thought it was going to be, but it now feels like I have found my path.​

Work Experiences

When I started the Ph.D. program, in 2006, I had no real clinical or professional experience. I felt very unprepared and was encouraged to volunteer at a local crisis center. I volunteered and worked there for about 3 years; I learned a lot about listening to people and emergency mental health care. Throughout my 13-ish years of trying to earn my Ph.D., I also worked in a variety of psychology related jobs or internships. I worked in a variety of settings providing therapy with individuals, groups, and people in relationships/families, as well as some neuropsychological testing.

 

While in school, a good portion of my experience was in college counseling centers where I provided a range of therapy services, neuropsychological testing (mostly for ADHD), and outreach and prevention services. For about two years, I worked as a suicide prevention specialist developing and leading suicide prevention programs on campus. I also completed an internship in a partial hospitalization program for kids and adolescents, worked in a rural high school providing therapy and prevention services, and worked as a career counselor helping soldiers separating from the US army. I have also been an instructor or co-instructor for graduate level courses in various psychological topics.

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After graduating in 2018, I got a post-doctoral position at a college counseling center and worked there until COVID started in 2020. At that time, I decided to focus more on being a therapist. I learned that I do not want to teach, and though I enjoyed outreach and prevention work, I needed and wanted to learn more clinically. My next job was a misstep, I worked for three months at a state hospital in the middle of nowhere, and l learned that population and setting is not for me. I then got a job working as a Psychologist in a community mental health center for the next two years, as well as started working as an independent contractor for a telehealth company. I was enjoying working as a Psychologist via telehealth and decided to move to that full-time. I worked for the telehealth company until 2024, when I decided I wanted to be self-employed. And, that brings me here.

Business Start-Up

My business is newish, I had a private practice when I was in graduate school about 11 years ago, and have decided to return to self-employment. There is a lot about private practice that is new to me this time (i.e., insurance billing and being fully self-employed). My most recent experience was working for a telehealth company as a psychologist, and feel comfortable with holding teletherapy sessions. However, I am learning more about the business and professional aspects of telehealth. Thus, for the moment, I am focusing on building the teletherapy aspect of my business.

I have a variety of interests in psychology and am thinking about additional ventures, but I have not made any decisions yet. I enjoy being a therapist and plan on maintaining the therapy aspect of my business if I try to grow other aspects of my business.  

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Business Credentials: I am registered with The State of Colorado through an LLC. You can view my business summary here and trade name here.

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Malpractice Insurance: I have malpractice insurance with Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company.

Philosophy

I believe that all people deserve transparent, compassionate, and effective mental health services. I am naturally a hopeful person and believe in peoples’ ability to self-actualize and thrive through adversity, if given the chance. At the core of my work, I believe that we all do the best we can at any given moment and that having compassion for ourselves and others is a powerful source of healing. I also believe that, though the options may not be immediately apparent or ideal, we are rarely stuck in a situation or decision we make.

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Throughout my personal and professional experiences, I have come to learn how important it is to be transparent and how difficult it can be to find transparent care. Thus, I do my best to be transparent about myself, your treatment, and navigating systems of care. However, I have also learned that transparency about certain things can be distressing to people and I try to provide you the option to not receive undesired information. Knowing that I will not always be aware of a lack of transparency, I strongly encourage you to ask any questions you have and/or provide me with feedback at any time, especially if you are feeling negatively about something.

Therapy Approach

My approach to therapy is trauma-informed and emphasizes the impact of past experiences, and healing the relationship that you have with yourself and others. My approach is grounded in Interpersonal Process Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy, but I am knowledgeable in a variety of therapy approaches. I enjoy sharing the science of psychology to help you gain insight and understand treatment. Humans are complicated and not everything can be healed, but I do believe some things can be truly healed by understanding psychology and the impact of experiences on people’s development and psychology. I also believe that practicing self-compassion is essential to healing and will be a broken record about it. 


My style is conversational and candid. There is no topic off limits; I want you to feel safe to talk about whatever. My goal is to guide you towards an authentic and meaningful life, and provide you with practical skills to apply throughout your life. I want you to be empowered in your healing journey and in your life.

Education & Licenses

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Counseling Psychology, Western Michigan University (2018)

 

Licensed Psychologist (LP)

Colorado #PSY.0005410

PSYPACT #11515*

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*The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) is a cooperative agreement that allows psychologists to practice telehealth across 36 states. Please note that insurance billing is limited under my PSYPACT license.

"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” - E.E. Cummings

If you or someone you know are experiencing an emergency, such as suicidal or homicidal thoughts, and feel you need immediate help call 911 or go to a local emergency room. If you or someone you know are having difficulty coping call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text HOME to 741741 for support.

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