wellness for families
Beginning therapy can bring on a lot of fear and worry for people. My personal belief and approach to therapy aim to reduce some of this hard stuff. I place a strong value on creating a safe and open space to fully experience and express one's unique personality, and clients report feeling at ease when they are with me.
I am extremely passionate about working with kids and adolescents. Kids are incredibly resilient and have infinite amounts of potential. In my work with kids I strive to establish a strong connection while also helping them build skills to better communicate and adapt to life changes. The teenage years especially are filled with endless new experiences, struggles and growth. However, I think sometimes the pressure from others to enjoy those "carefree days" dismisses the daily struggles of navigating our identity, peer relationships and future goals. My hope is to provide support, empathy, encouragement and an open ear during a time when you/your teen may not always feel heard.
I believe the family unit as a whole also plays an important role in development. Because of this I often encourage families to work together in therapy to improve relationships. I recognize that many teens do not want to participate in family therapy, and I can work with this and navigate accordingly. Family therapy does not have to drag on forever!
I was born and raised in Wisconsin but was eventually convinced to join the "other side". I moved to the Twin Cities in 2016 and absolutely fell in love with the endless places to explore. When I am not at Sentier I enjoy spending my time slowly sipping coffee in the morning, reading, doing yoga, going for walks with my Dalmation, Denali, traveling with my husband and attempting to master one new baked good at a time.
Bachelor's Degree - University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire
Master’s Degree - University of St Thomas, MN
Licensed Independent Social Worker (LICSW)
Registered Play Therapy Supervisor: Marit Appeldoorn, MSW, LICSW, RPT-S
Theraplay Supervisor: Alexis Greeves, MA, LPCC, RPT-S
Theraplay - Level 1 Trained
Currently pursuing Registered Play Therapist (RPT) - credential
I work with individuals across the spectrum of age, ability, race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation.