About Me
Greetings, and welcome to my site! I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with experience working with individuals experiencing ongoing trauma, such as homelessness, sex work, poverty, abuse, and/or chemical abuse. I have a passionate interest in grief and loss, and questioning of faith or spirituality. I strive to assist individuals in feeling more connected with their bodies while addressing the impact of trauma/loss on their lives, which can manifest in many ways. I am compassionate, empathetic, non-judgmental, and person-centered.
I have worked in several homeless service settings, including shelters, drop-in centers, and housing programs. I specialize in working with adults, focusing on the impact of trauma on the brain, while working through anxiety, depression, and other mood concerns. Through that time, I came to understand the impact of grief and loss. Sometimes that means through death, and sometimes that means a more ambiguous loss.
My approach to psychotherapy is adaptive to whom I am working with. I have training in EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic, Dialectic Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness and Meditation, amongst others.
I am currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary, a certification in Thanatology (the study of death and dying). I obtained my Master's in Clinical Social Work from Augsburg College in 2011, and received my independent clinical license in 2013. I obtained my certification in Spiritual Direction from St. Catherine University in 2022.
In my free time you can typically find me absorbed in a book. I love spending time with my amazing husband, my spunky daughter, and our two dogs. We spend much of our time outside exploring. I also enjoy meditation, lifting weights, reality TV, and coffee!
Memberships:
National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC)
Spiritual Direction International (SDI)
Minnesota Social Service Association (MSSA)