A Global Perspective

Born in Kenya, Africa, my childhood was a unique blend of cultural immersion and global awareness. My parents, dedicated to the ideals of service, worked for a nonprofit organization. Growing up speaking Kikuyu as one of three white children in a Kenyan slum, I learned the pains of being different when all you want to do is play and explore. We relocated to Brussels, Belgium when I was five. I attended a French speaking school and lived in a 5 story converted convent, shared by over 100 people from all over the world, serving as the base for a nonprofit intentional community. I was an English Language Learner when I started at the International School of Brussels for 4th grade. While we moved to Minneapolis MN when I was 15 and I spent the remainder of my youth there, I continued to travel the world into my 30’s.  My multicultural background allows me to connect with individuals from various walks of life, fostering an inclusive and empathetic approach to mental health.

Extensive Professional Training

I Completed a year long Technology of Participation Strategic Planning Training at the tender age of 18 with an emphasis on Youth as Facilitative Leaders. I received my BA from Berkeley in Environmental Youth Therapy in 2003, my Masters of Education shortly after in 2005, my Masters in Social Work in 2013 and became a Certified RYT 500 Yoga Teacher in 2015 with a focus on Trauma Informed Yoga. I have supported programming at the director level for over 20 years and most recently was foundational in the development of a nonprofit that supports youth at the intersection of mental health and the outdoors in the Columbia Gorge.

Human-Centered Philosophy

 At the core of my practice is a human-centered philosophy. I view each person as a unique individual with their own story, strengths, and challenges. By embracing our shared humanity, I believe we can foster a more compassionate and inclusive approach to well-being. I firmly believe in the power of simplicity,  authenticity and humble curiosity. By de-specializing mental health, I aim to break down barriers and make the therapeutic process more relatable and approachable for all in any situations whether at work or in the home. This approach is perfect for working with teams that need to re-evaluate their comfort and trust on a deeper level in order to continue working within a professional environment. If we can convene around our shared humanity then we are all the same whether we sit behind a desk in a suit or behind bars in a jumpsuit.