I have over 5 years' experience of working with children, adolescents, adults, families, veterans, trauma survivors, and groups through community mental health, non-profit work, and private practice. I have developed a trauma-informed framework in my clinical practice and place emphasis on individual and environmental strengths for each client.

My therapeutic approach is very client-centered. I like to explain my style with the following analogy: I like therapy to feel as though my client and I are driving in a car together. My client is behind the wheel, in charge of what direction we take and what the ultimate destination is. My client also has his/her/their foot on the gas pedal or brake pedal and are in charge of how fast we go on this journey. My role in the passenger seat is to be a guide with a map, pointing out landmarks along the way. My client is in charge of how long we stay at each landmark, decides how significant each landmark is, whether this landmark will be a regular stop in their future travels. I will be available for support until my client decides they can take their journey on their own.

BA - Psychology, University of Texas El Paso

MSW - University of Texas San Antonio

TX 63627

she/her

As a child, I witnessed my mother take care of her brother who was diagnosed with mental and behavioral disabilities. I admired how much my mother stood up for my uncle who was often looked over or taken advantage of. As I grew up, I began to understand how stigmatized mental health continues to be. With my mother as a role model, I decided to enter the field of social to be an advocate and support for those who are vulnerable and work to end the stigma placed on mental health care.

Outside of work, I love to take our three doggies for long walks. Now, with the recent birth of our son, we get to add a stroller to our daily walks with our pups. Also, watching reality television and finding a new dessert recipes to bake for family and friends adds joy to my life.

After dinner walks refresh my soul.

I have read Pride and Prejudice more than once because the writing takes me back to the 19th century where words were used more carefully and romantically. The flaws that the main characters acknowledge and work to change also feel real and I romanticize the growth they make in order to be in each others' lives in healthy ways.

My favorite non-profit is To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA). This was a non-profit that was introduced to me in high school by one of my best friends. In college, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. As one of his closest friends, I saw him go through many depressive episodes. Wearing TWLOHA shirts became a signal of support within our friend group and reminded him he is not alone despite what his depression was telling him. Then, when we saw others around campus, around town, or in other cities wearing TWLOHA, we felt understood in a world that judges mental health conditions.

My husband and I have a weekly Wednesday date night where nothing else is ever scheduled. We order food and watch our favorite shows (now with the snuggles of our newborn). This weekly act recharges me because stress just melts to the background as we focus solely on our family without outside distractions.

We have three doggies. Two dogs are blue heeler mixes and our third puppy is a rottweiler mix. One of my many favorite pet stories is a rather recent one. When my husband and I brought home our son after a 3 week stay in the NICU, our puppies were so gentle in meeting him. They constantly went to check on him that first night. Having our son home with our three other (fur) babies just completed our home.