I have always been deeply curious about people. I want to understand who they are and what they love. I want to know what they worry about and what they delight in, the people and experiences that have shaped them. I want to understand their stories and how they think about who they are in light of who God is. Counseling allows me the opportunity to direct this curiosity toward walking alongside others in a deeply personal way toward our good and gracious God.

One of the greatest joys of the work of counseling is bearing witness to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of others. I enjoy creating a compassionate space to listen, encourage, and journey with others, helping them see the work of God in their own lives. 

A good friend of mine once quipped, “I won’t let myself be in a bad mood until I’ve gone outside and moved my body.” I find this to be a necessary rule of life for myself.  By nature, I am a person who needs to move. I am happiest walking my dog, preferably near the ocean or in the woods with sunlight filtering through treetops. When this is not possible, I will settle for going for a run or playing volleyball with my kids. 

As much as I need to move, I also need stillness. I aim to spend quiet mornings reading God’s Word, praying, and journaling. These times of abiding with Jesus provide the sustaining grace I need to continue to abide in him throughout my day.

I have a special interest in providing care and counsel for adoptive and special needs parents facing unique challenges, whether related to attachment, trauma, behavioral, emotional, or medical difficulties. I believe God has designed us for deep connection in relationship, and I enjoy helping people understand healthy attachment in their relationships to God and to the people in their lives. In addition to this, I enjoy counseling ministry leaders, pastors’ wives, and church staff. I know the unique challenges of ministry work, the places where shame and discouragement are often present, and I desire to create a safe place to wrestle through these struggles while seeking to honor God and the body of Christ.  

Some of my favorite authors are David Powlison, Curt Thompson, Diane Langberg, and Ed Welch. A few books that have been very formative for me are Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund, The Soul of Shame by Curt Thompson, and Extravagant Grace by Barbara Duguid.

It helps me to think that in moments throughout my day, I am either moving toward Jesus or away from him. This may be overly simplified, but it also invites me to remember again that He is the true vine and I can only bear fruit as I abide in him. Practically, this looks like creating habits of connecting to Jesus through reading and meditating on His word, prayer, listening, connecting with and serving His people, and responding to Him and doing the good works prepared for me.

I am always reading at least one fiction book at a time, sometimes more. I love to walk my dog Charlie, play games with my family, go for runs, and eat good food with my husband.

In my own life, I have faced seasons of deep disillusionment and disappointment. Following Jesus has been costly in ways I could not have anticipated. Specifically, my journey as a foster and adoptive parent was marked by significant struggle and pain. Parenting has looked very different than I expected and I have had to grapple with my own sin in response to this, as well as grief over what was lost. God has met me with incredible grace and mercy in my struggle, and I love to walk alongside others as they wrestle with the parts of their own lives that feel disappointing or unexpected. Whether that is adoptive or special needs parenting, disappointment or hurt in ministry, or any other area of life, I desire to comfort others with the comfort I have received as I counsel and seek to lead the way toward Jesus, our Good Shepherd.

The Psalms have given me permission to bring my whole self to God. When I am stressed or overwhelmed, I am learning to bring this emotion to God in prayer, crying out to him in my dependence and need. Stress is experienced in the body and practicing breath prayers coupled with Scripture reminds my body that I am not alone and God is with me. I also practice inviting other trusted people to care for me and ask me what I need. I may not know exactly what I need, but I do know that I need others to embody Christ to me and remind me that I am loved perfectly by God.