Thank you for taking the time to learn a little more about me.  Finding the right therapist involves having at least enough information to have a sense of whether they might be a good fit.  It is easier to connect with someone when you know a little about them.

Please read on to learn a little more about me and my practice.

A Little About Me

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Conception Seminary College in Missouri.   I knew when I graduated that I would eventually pursue graduate work in psychology so that I could become a psychologist because I wanted to be involved in helping people find health and healing.

I spent four and a half years as a county social worker before I entered graduate school.  After four years of graduate coursework and over 3,000 hours of pre-doctoral supervised professional experience, I graduated with a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree from the Minnesota School of Professional Psychology (now known as Argosy University).

I was licensed by the Minnesota Board of Psychology after completing an additional year of full-time supervised employment in psychology, and passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology and the Professional Responsibility Exam. I maintain my licensure with 40 hours of continuing education every two years.

Besides completing my internship at a University Counseling Center, I have worked at three different community mental health clinics.  In my positions, I served people of diverse backgrounds presenting with a variety of issues.  In 2006, I started my private practice at my current location in Edina.

About My Practice

I am in private practice as a solo practitioner.  My waiting room is shared with other therapists, but we all practice separately.  I can usually see clients within a week of their contacting me.

I continue to practice primarily as a generalist and treat individuals 16 and older with mood disorders; anxiety disorders; relationship problems; grief issues; life transitions; anger problems; sexual identity and orientation issues; mild traumas; compulsive behaviors; co-dependency issues; and persons in recovery with co-existing mental health issues.

My therapeutic approach is based on cognitive behavioral principles with psychodynamic influences.  I have also been influenced by Existentialism, Humanistic and Positive Psychology, and Interpersonal therapy, as well as Narrative and Emotion Focused approaches.  Increasingly I have been incorporating Mindfulness skills and teaching clients Mindfulness Meditation.  One of my strengths has been to be able to engage clients in approaches that utilize their strengths while challenging them to grow in ways that will maximize their own natural self-healing ability.

Outside the Office

It has been important to my professional identity to be a member of the Minnesota Psychological Association (MPA) and the American Psychological Association (APA).  Early in my career I was involved with the New Psychologist Network (a division of MPA) and acted as a representative for that division on the Governing Council of MPA.

I love the work I do and I am humbled and honored by the trust clients show me in sharing the details of their personal struggles.  I continue to learn a great deal from the people I work with and I strive to grow as a therapist and share what I have learned with others.