About Me

---

My approach

With a background in clinical mental health counseling, self-compassion, wellness and health coaching, creative Life Design, and mind-body trainings, I incorporate a range of evidence-based practices into my work. I have found tremendous value in embodied exploration— noticing and working with experiences with the mind, body, and heart.

As a teacher, facilitator, and coach, it is my role to share the wisdom of various practices, the science and research which support their efficacy, to encourage you to creatively engage with the practices, and to support you as you apply what you learn to navigate the realities in your own life.

Through my personal practice, I have an appreciation for varied challenges that present themselves along the path to transformation and change. I therefore tend to approach teaching with some humility, humor and an invitation to be honest about and learn from all of our experiences.

I continue to be inspired by the clients and students with whom I have worked — by the creative ways in which they applied wisdom teachings to get unstuck, to grow in their ability to love themselves, and to face heartbreaking realities with courage and resilience. One of the greatest benefits of teaching and continued practice is learning from and being inspired by others.

My background

Education

• M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Summa Cum Laude, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• B.A. in Psychology, B.A. in Sociology, State University of New York at Geneseo

Professional Certifications and Trainings

• Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Trained Teacher
• MSC for Healthcare Communities Trained Teacher
• Certified Wellness and Health Coach
• Certified Yoga Teacher (200 hour)
• Certified Designing Your Life (DYL) Facilitator and Coach

Other areas of training and focus:

Compassion and Self-Compassion:

• 8-month Community for Deepening Practice – weekly sessions with a cohort of fellow MSC teachers to deepen self-compassion practice and teaching
• The Way to Freedom: 37 Practices of the Bodhisattva with Pema Chödrön, Omega Institute

Mindfulness:

• Graduate coursework on the integration of mindfulness into therapy for emotional wellbeing
• Clinical internships included integration of mindfulness into therapy
• Completed Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Intensive, Omega Institute
• Contemplative Practice in Higher Education, Omega Institute

Trauma-Informed Trainings:

• Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training
• Trauma-Informed Children’s Yoga Training
• The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk

Meditation:

• 10-Day Vipassana Meditation Course (silent retreat)

My latest training adventures:

I continue to participate in trainings for my own study and practice, and to infuse what I learn into my offerings. My latest ventures? The Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness Training with David Treleavan (self-paced program, currently underway); and I am registered for the Contemplative Psychotherapy Program with the Nalanda Institute, beginning Fall 2021!