I never set out to be a trauma therapist. I mean, how many of us are trained in anything really trauma oriented in grad school?
I originally went back to school in order to work with adopted children and families, being an adoptee myself. But my practicum placements lead me in another direction as I wound up working with domestic violence victims during the day, and with male repeat offenders at night, gaining an uncanny educational experience and perspective not taught in any class.
My expertise as a trauma therapist was then solidified from the worst of circumstances, as I was a local therapist when the Sandy Hook tragedy occurred. Full immersion into the pain and grief that incidents like these cause makes it impossible for someone to not become an expert at trauma identification and healing.
That event introduced me to Brainspotting™ which changed everything not just for me but for my clients as well. The non-verbal, sub-cortical access and rapid healing model proved itself day in and day out. I have since added HeartMath™ Trauma-Sensitive therapy healing tools and am certified in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) and Psychedelic Integration for my clients trauma healing.
Prior to receiving my LMFT from Fairfield University, I was a graphic designer and production manager in advertising and design firms across the US, from Boston to California, Colorado to Connecticut. That previous life experience has helped me as a teacher since metaphor is the medium that I use to assist clients in seeing and navigating their trauma healing paths. I have 2 books in the works, both which draw deeply on the metaphors I use in session.
In my role as a Brainspotting Trainer and Supervisor, I have witnessed many practitioners’ development, and naturally some rise to the top. In particular, Maria Bowen rose to the top. She has shown brilliance and creativity in her growth as a trauma clinician. We have now developed the TAG Method for Trauma Reprocessing and Integration together and I am honored to bring this to life as her business and teaching partner.
I was born in Brattleboro, VT and have found myself back home after years of travel. My family moved to an international community called Auroville in southern India when I was 10, and while I returned to New England for (boarding) high school, my love for international travel began young. I have traveled all over the world, and have loved the relationships that travel has brought into my life.
My experiences of living in different countries, in building relationships across differences, and choosing family with myriad identities and experiences, has brought me to an intersectional and systemic analysis of the ways that we carry our emotional, intellectual, and embodied experiences.
One week after graduating From Boston University with a BS in Communications, I started my first company – a marketing/PR agency. I wanted to help nonprofits and start-ups communicate better and create community. But I knew I wanted to do more so I returned to graduate school.
After pursuing a master’s degree in Dance Movement Therapy and Mental Health Counseling at Antioch University New England, I began my mentorship with Katherine Allen.
Five plus years we transformed from mentor/mentee to co-conspirators. As we conspired, we spent countless hours researching and discussing trauma and how to heal, and I am so excited to bring the fruits of that labor to the public.
At my core, I am a synthesizer, taking the best of everything I have learned along the way and weaving it together to create something new, regardless of industry. I am passionate about helping people experience more joy in their life.
My approach as a therapist is deeply rooted in neuropsychology and human development, and is fundamentally relational.
My identity intersections: I am queer (she/they pronouns) and AuDHD (autistic and ADHD). I am a descendant of white settler colonizers (father’s side) and refugees (mother’s side). I have multiple chronic health conditions and am disabled (ask me what this means–it may not be what you think). I am the mother to an AMAB child and follow the Visible Child parenting paradigm. I embody fat liberation and body neutrality. I am anti-racist and anti-colonialist.
I currently reside in East Dummerston on the indigenous lands of the Wabanaki peoples. Learn about the land you live on.