I provide a holistic approach to therapy in a supportive and safe space. My BeLoved branch location is available for both in-person and online sessions, placing a high priority on confidentiality and trust. I am trained and certified in several areas, while specializing in trauma informed therapy, sex therapy and gender affirming care.

I received my undergraduate degree in psychology from South Dakota State University and earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Nebraska Omaha. I completed a one year program at the University of South Dakota in order to become a licensed addiction counselor. I am an intuitive counselor who responds to the energy and feelings of my clients and am honored to help them move past traumatic experiences in order to live a better life.

Trauma Informed Therapy

I have seen the life changing effects the right counseling and therapy can have for a person struggling with mental health issues. Being able to provide this kind of hope and understanding for people is the reason I decided to become a licensed clinical social worker, specializing in trauma informed therapy. I am also a licensed addiction counselor because I know that treating substance abuse and behavioral addictions is an important part of healing for many people.

The journey through trauma informed therapy relies on me being sensitive to people and making sure we move at their pace. I listen carefully and pay close attention to how people are feeling as we work  through past experiences together. It’s important for me to understand their story. Being able to identify triggers and help my clients work toward resolution is a vital part of the process. As a Certified EMDR therapist and licensed clinical social worker, I have dedicated myself to skills and techniques that focus on helping people who have suffered trauma or are experiencing PTSD.

Sex Therapy

Although difficult to talk about, sexual problems are quite common. 43% of women and 31 % of men report experiencing some type of sexual dysfunction during their lifetime. 

My approach to sex therapy is to provide a safe place to talk and expert help in treating sexual dysfunction, demystifying unhealthy sexual myths, providing good sexual education, helping individuals achieve a more positive attitude about sex, and a better sex life overall. 

Sexual issues don't choose age, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, and are more common than most people think. There are several different types of sexual issues.

·       Low libido male or female – his/her low sex drive is the most frequent complaint we address in sex therapy. 

·       Anorgasmia – no orgasm or a lack of climax is a common and usually the most easily fixed sexual dysfunction. 

·       Erectile Dysfunction Treatment and Premature Ejaculation Therapy – we will work together to differentiate and help with psychogenic ED and help reduce anxiety about PE. 

·       Survivors of sexual abuse or sexual trauma – helping those that have experienced a history of sexual abuse and/or sexual trauma to gain their sexual freedom back.

·       Sexual Pain Problems – like vaginismus, vestibulitis, sexual pain issues resulting from menopause, cancer treatment or other life experiences.  

I am also experienced in the following:

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. This model helps people work through unprocessed memories that are causing negative thoughts, feelings and behaviors. 

 Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT provides clients with new skills designed to manage and regulate emotions and decrease conflict in relationships.

Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)

IFS is an approach to psychotherapy that believes the mind is naturally multiple with each person having internal parts that hold valuable qualities and a core Self that knows how to heal. When these parts are in conflict with each other and with one's core Self,  IFS focuses on restoring mental balance and wholeness. 

 Dual Diagnosis/Co-Occurring Disorders

An integrated treatment approach that involves coordinating mental health and substance-abuse interventions such as motivational interviewing, relapse prevention, psycho-education and mindfulness techniques.

Gottman Therapy

The Gottman Method is an approach to couples therapy that includes a thorough assessment of the couple’s relationship and integrates research-based interventions.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness involves learning to live in the moment and reawaken oneself to the present, rather than dwelling on the past or anticipating the future.

Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapy integrates the mental, emotional, spiritual and physical aspects of each of us by helping us become aware of our bodies and the sensations we experience through them.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

CPT is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy used to help people recover from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced after a variety of traumatic events including combat, child abuse, domestic violence, rape and natural disasters.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT focuses on modifying dysfunctional emotions, behaviors and thoughts through a "solutions-oriented" form of talk therapy, based on the idea that thoughts and perceptions influence behavior.

Gender Affirming Healthcare 

I advocate for and provide gender affirming care and support during the coming out and exploration process which can include self-acceptance, reinforcing self-identification and exploration of individual ways to actualize this identify in the world. I use the guidelines and criteria provided by The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)  Standards of Care (SOC) to guide decisions regarding options for gender identity and expression which may also include preparation and assessment for various gender affirming treatments and procedures. I also provide education and help to develop tools to cope with any related or unrelated general mental health issues such as mood disorders, generalized anxiety, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).