We're all nerdy about something! I'm a nerd about providing life-changing therapy to the people I work best with - couples with science-oriented or neurodivergent brains.

I grew up as a nerd, surrounded by other nerds - with a father working for Boeing in Seattle, and with several of my brothers studying physics, engineering, and medicine. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I was lucky to be surrounded by incredible forests, mountains, and coasts. I wouldn't have been able to put these words to it at the time, but being outdoors became a special interest that helped me to soothe a brain that felt deeply and was prone to distraction and overstimulation. Propelled by this passion for nature, I studied biology in school, and trained and worked as an ecologist. I was especially interested in marine invertebrates, botany and plant-animal interactions. (If you want to see just how deep my nerd roots go, check out this paper I co-authored on using geoduck clam sclerochronology to reconstruct ocean temperatures…. it might be the nerdiest thing ever….).

Despite my love of ecology, I started to feel a pull to work more directly with people and in systems where I could have more of an immediate impact. I changed my career and completed my masters degree in Couple and Family Therapy in 2012. After several years working as a therapist and learning more about neurodivergence, I started to see many of the traits in myself that I saw in my neurodivergent clients. After referring clients to assessments for years, I went and had one of my own. What followed was a very helpful and somewhat embarrassing moment of “Oh, duh! How did I miss this in myself for so long?!” This understanding of my own neurodivergence helped many of my struggles and strengths come into clearer focus, and also enhances my work with clients who are working to understand the quirks of their own or their partner’s neurodivergence.

I find that many of the same ideas that drew me to ecology continue to resonate in my therapy work - we are all organisms that bring our biology and history into our environments, as we work to grow, heal, and connect with others. I bring an understanding of neurobiology and a respect for rigorous research to my therapy practice. I’ve also developed a passion for understanding the diversity in how we are all wired neurologically, and the beauty and challenges that can come along with having a neurodivergent brain, and cross-neurotype relationships.

And let me tell you - as a therapist, I nerd out pretty hard!

I use therapy techniques that are evidence-based, meaning they have been rigorously studied and shown to be effective. This includes Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy - one of only two aproaches to couples therapy that is known to be evidence based. I also use Expressive Arts Therapy when clients are interested, as it brings a non-verbal component into the therapy work that can be helpful for many clients. I maintain membership in the professional organizations that allow me to stay current on new research findings in these areas. I also have designed my practice policies to keep both myself and my clients engaged and consistent in moving towards your goals.

It is also worth noting that I have pursued advanced training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, and have earned the distinction of being an EFT Certified Therapist and an EFT Supervisor. This means that I have passed a rigorous application process, including hours of training, supervision, and review of my work by the ICEEFT board (The International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy). I am especially proud to have been be the first therapist in Cincinnati to have earned this certification. (I now live in California, but continue to see clients in Ohio over Telehealth).

In my personal life… yes I’m a nerd there, too!

Beyond my work, I still crave learning and nurturing my love of natural history. In my free time, I am usually found with my husband, our Welsh terrier, and our young sons hiking or enjoying a nature center. On those rare events that the outdoors does not beckon, we can usually be found playing one of our favorite board games. (Dominion or Code Names, anyone?) or watching something on Netflix usually involving magic and/or dragons.

Come nerd out with me!

If you are ready to dig in, figure out what is keeping you stuck, and then work together on life-changing personal growth, schedule a free 30-min phone consultation!!

Ohio Independent Marriage and Family Therapist License #: F1700020

California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #: LMFT141322