After nearly 28 years as a counselor, I begin each day open to experiencing new insights and growing awarenesses with my clients, which keeps me doing what I do. It is a privilege to collaborate with the people I work and support through grief and, loss, life’s changes and transitions, anxiety & depression and sometimes addiction. I’ve also enjoyed supporting clients with health issues impacting mental health, and like an integrated approach. If I didn’t believe change was possible, I wouldn’t be able to do this work – but change is possible and always worth the struggle to get there.
My approach is multi-modal – which means that I don’t just focus on what’s not going well, but to make sure all parts of their lives are being attended to – from recreation, meaningful connection, physical health, spiritual life and beyond. We are complicated humans and each part affect the others. I bring humor into my practice as this work is hard and serious, but that doesn’t mean we can’t lighten things up at times. I use aspects of Motivational Interviewing (MI), DBT, CBT
I am a native Montana girl, grew up in a small town and loved that safe and nurturing experience. I appreciate my history more and more each year, knowing so many don’t get that gift in their early lives. I rode(and fell off) horses, did every sport, participated in student leadership and was a member of band and choir. My parents taught me the value of hard work and that things worthwhile are worth working hard for. Another gift.
I studied at The University of Montana – Go Griz – majoring in Interpersonal Communication, with focuses in Management, Sociology and Psychology. My graduate degree in Counseling & Development was obtained at Montana State University. I continue to enjoy biking and playing tennis is the Summer and snowshoeing in the Winter. I’m a pet lover and currently put up with an evil kitty, Gabby Grey Girl. I will eventually have a dog again, probably a Golden Retriever or Golden Doodle.
