I’ve always loved the opportunity to walk with others through the journey of life. In my own story of pain and healing, I have been offered God’s grace and help in healing relationships. To do the same for others navigating difficulty is such a gift. 

In counseling, I’m in the trenches with my clients. We’re wrestling together with these questions and seeking goodness in a broken world. I’m honored at the chance to listen to their stories, tracing the pain of trauma as well as the joy of healing.

Counseling is a beautiful and sacred way to explore important life questions and our stories, as well as find encouragement in the valleys of life. 

I know how scary it can feel to ask for help. Vulnerability is hard. It’s a joy to offer a counseling space where people can be seen and known, reflecting the compassion of our kind Shepherd Jesus.

I count it an incredible privilege to bear witness to the bravery and fortitude of the people I meet with. I believe that in the counseling room, God is present and near, providing grace and mercy. I have experienced that personally and desire to embody the love of Jesus Christ to each person I meet with.

I give myself permission to struggle and need grace. Remembering I am a finite human is always needed. I feel grounded by spending time in the sun, near the ocean, or among trees. I also rely on the kindness and presence of others to offer perspective and calm. It can be challenging to find equilibrium, and I am reassured by the confidence that God is for me, even when my own emotions or mind weigh me down.

Clients I often work with include:

• trauma survivors, including those who have experienced sexual, emotional, or spiritual abuse. 
• individuals who find themselves in a crisis of faith or navigating faith questions. 
• women in ministry, who need a safe place to process ministry difficulties and to discern rhythms of rest and refreshment.
• adults and adolescents who experience mental health struggles, such as depression, anxiety, or OCD. 

Sometimes a person may not be in a crisis, they may just find themselves weary or discouraged! I support clients wherever they find themselves, drawing on the grace and presence of Jesus Christ in the counseling process.

I have personally been shaped by books like The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller (on marriage, love, and redemption), A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis (on loss, remembrance, and love), On the Road with St. Augustine by James K.A. Smith (a must read for young adults and faith skeptics), and East of Eden by John Steinbeck (a novel but really a treatise on human nature!). I also love poetry!

Counseling resources I am grateful for include A Still and Quiet Mind by Esther Smith, Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund, and God’s Grace in Your Suffering by David Powlison.

The truth of Jesus’s character gives meaning and joy to the details of my everyday life. To be loved by Him changes everything. His truth, mercy, and grace are the lens through which I see all of life. 

Practically, I enjoy studying the Bible and learning more about the context of its truths. I have an open and honest relationship with God in prayer. I love philosophy and theology, and I believe ideas have really important and practical implications. I enjoy engaging with complex questions and seeking to learn more about how the gospel applies to those significant questions.

I love writing and exploring the outdoors. I really delight in meaningful conversations, traveling, and good stories from books or TV. I love to curate playlists with indie and alternative music of various genres. I enjoy video games, laughing with friends, and spending time with my husband & two dogs.

I grew up in a Christian context, and I know what it’s like to experience harm within the church and healing within the church.

In navigating my own story of pain, I have learned the importance and beauty of lament and honest wrestling with God.

As I faced both devastation and God’s healing grace in my life, I clung to the hope offered in the gospel. I have “seen the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” and I know what it’s like to walk in faith through deep valleys. 

I am so grateful for the wise counselors God used to speak life to my weary heart. It is because of the safety I was shown that I am particularly mindful to cultivate a safe context for counselees.

I rely on connection––connection to Jesus, others, and the present moment. 

As someone who can be easily overwhelmed by life, I’m all too aware of my own weakness and need. I’m so grateful for the means of grace God offers through taking care of my body and taking a moment to tune in with my soul. Sometimes I simply need to step outside, take a deep breath, and stare at a tree. 🙂