Who I am as a Therapist
I’m a therapist, and that role is a big part of who I am. I believe that people deserve a place to feel understood, supported, and accepted for who they are. Everyday, I continue to support that belief in the work I do- by showing up as my authentic self in the therapy room and supporting clients as they do the same.
As the client, you are always going to be the expert of you. As the therapist, I often describe myself as being in the passenger seat: you’re driving, you set the destination, and I’m there to help you navigate. What we navigate is always up to you, but I'll offer guidance and direction along the way.
As we go through therapy sessions, we’ll determine your style of learning, what coping skills work best for you, and how to make those tools your own. I have learned through experience that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all formula, which is why I take a flexible and eclectic approach to it. I always check in to recap where we’ve been and to ask where you want to go next. Each session is shaped by what matters most to you in the moment and I pull from various theories, techniques and skills that are carefully crafted to support those needs.
When it fits, I often pull from CBT and DBT skills (mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness). Our thoughts and beliefs have a strong impact on how we see ourselves and the world around us. Sometimes, therapy might entail studying your own thoughts, beliefs and behaviors to see if they are still serving you. Together, we can use this awareness to determine if you would like to keep, tweak or change the beliefs that hinder you. Sometimes, therapy is about understanding these patterns to determine how you want to move forward and other times it is just about coping in the moment with what life has handed you. Regardless of how we approach a session together, I promise to always include you in that decision making and to show up for you wherever you are in the process.
Clients often tell me they appreciate that I show up authentically — not only as a trained counselor with tools and strategies, but as a fellow human who brings compassion, honesty, and genuine care into the room. My hope is that therapy with me feels less like being “treated” and more like being supported, challenged, and encouraged in ways that truly fit who you are.
What I love most about being a therapist is getting to witness people’s growth in real time. Sometimes it’s a big shift, like breaking a long-standing pattern, and sometimes it’s as simple as someone realizing they’re stronger than they thought. Either way, I feel honored to be invited into those moments. I don’t take it lightly that clients choose to share their stories with me, and I see therapy as a space where both courage and vulnerability are celebrated.
Who I am as a Human
I’m a therapist, yes — but I’m also a lot of other things. I’m a fiancée, a dog mom, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. I’m a traveler and adventure seeker, a Cardinals baseball fan, a gardener, a foodie, my own budget-savvy wedding planner, a bit of a Type A spreadsheet maker — and a human still figuring out my own health journey.
Outside of my therapy work, I spend time seeing my own therapist (because I believe in doing the work, too). I love planning my next trip, diving into new hobbies like pickleball, tackling home projects, or being the one behind the camera capturing memories with friends and family.
Travel is one of the ways I feel most alive — dramatic landscapes, national parks, hikes, and local food are my love language. Italy is my dream trip, both for the beauty and as a connection to my heritage.
Music is another big part of my life — whether I’m at a live concert or shamelessly belting out O.A.R., Blink-182, Simple Plan, Sum 41, Backstreet Boys, or any throwback jam in the car with the windows down.
What really grounds me, more than any project or adventure, are my boys: my fiancé Joe and our two dogs, Mr. I and James.
I’m obsessed with all dogs, but especially my two. They’re my walking buddies, snugglers, and constant companions. They’ve gone on vacations with us, had birthday parties, and in 2026 they’ll even walk down the aisle in tuxedos at our Colorado wedding. With Joe, I treasure the everyday moments — cooking dinner, laughing at mindless comedies, heated N64 Mario Kart battles, solving Wheel of Fortune puzzles, bowling nights, or simply relaxing on the couch.
I love the balance of quiet nights at home and weekends full of adventure. I’ve been known to build self-care days into my schedule when I need them, just to relax and reset at home. On the other end of the spectrum, I once pulled off a weekend trip to Iceland when I had no PTO left — leaving straight from work, traveling in a camper van, chasing the Northern Lights, and heading straight back to the office on Monday from the airport. Both ends of that spectrum fill me up in different ways.
At my core, I value family, friendship, creativity, and being comfortable with who I am. I tend to show up fully myself — a little loud, a little quirky, but always genuine. I take my work seriously and care deeply about my clients, but I’m a human being first. I believe connecting on that level makes all the difference.
HOW I GOT HERE
When I finished undergrad at Missouri State University, I had two degrees—Psychology and Criminology—and no single path that felt quite right. I knew I was a people person who wanted meaningful, face-to-face work. That clarity brought me back to St. Louis for a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at UMSL, where I found the blend I was seeking: understanding people, supporting them through hard seasons, and helping them build something better. During this time, I fell in love with the field of counseling.
I began at Bridgeway Behavioral Health in 2016 as an intern and joined full-time in 2017. My work centered on outpatient substance use treatment: individual sessions, education and processing groups, and collaboration with Drug Court, DWI Court, and SAFETI Court. I saw how powerful it is when people are met with opportunities to heal rather than punishment—and how essential it is to meet clients exactly where they are.
In 2019, I moved to inpatient care at Sana Lake Recovery Center. Working with clients who lived onsite gave me a front-row view of the hour-to-hour challenges of recovery. I supported people navigating substance use alongside anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship concerns, and I worked closely with families to build healthier dynamics. That experience helped me clarify my therapeutic strengths and the issues I’m most drawn to.
From there, I joined Sonder Counseling in 2022, a group practice where I broadened my focus beyond substance use. I sat with clients facing depression, anxiety, relationship struggles, boundary-setting, life transitions, and chronic illness. I leaned into personalized treatment—asking what mattered most each session and staying flexible when life shifted. The goal was simple: make therapy responsive and useful in real time.
After nearly a decade in the field, I took the leap into private practice. Rise Above Counseling LLC brings together what I’ve learned across outpatient, inpatient, and group settings so I can keep doing what I love most: walking with people through the hardest parts of their story and helping them rise above.
