My path to becoming a therapist has been anything but straight. For years, I wrestled with the question so many of us ask: “What do I want to be when I grow up?” I tried different jobs, explored a few colleges, and even earned my Associate’s degree in Graphic Design in 2002. At the time, I dreamed of designing book covers, CD artwork, or websites. But after moving back to Iowa, I quickly realized that wasn’t going to be a sustainable career.

I found myself floundering for a while until I landed, somewhat accidentally, in the annuity world. What I thought would be a temporary stop turned into more than 20 years. I serviced annuities from beginning to end, but deep down I knew this wasn’t my purpose. When the housing market crashed in 2008, I felt a stirring I couldn’t ignore. Psychology, human behavior, and the way people grow and change had always fascinated me, so I decided to go back to school. That step was the beginning of something new.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Human Services Management from the University of Phoenix, and later two Master’s degrees: one in Christian Counseling of Substance Abuse and Addictive Disorders from Grand Canyon University, and one in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. But education was only part of the story.

In the middle of my first Master’s program, God used my studies to reveal something I didn’t want to face: I was struggling with addiction myself. That realization shook me, but it also opened the door to transformation. I found a therapist who was honest, direct, and unafraid to tell me the truth. It wasn’t easy, but that work changed everything. It set me on the path of recovery and, ultimately, confirmed my calling to walk with others through their hardest seasons.

Because I’ve sat on both sides—the couch and the chair—I don’t take lightly the trust it takes to let someone into your story. I know the vulnerability of feeling misunderstood, and I know the relief of finally being seen. When I was later diagnosed with ADHD, so many pieces of my life began to click into place. That experience deepened my commitment to help others make sense of their own struggles, too.

Over the years, I’ve worked in a variety of settings: residential and outpatient programs, Medication Assisted Treatment, and even developing an Intensive Outpatient Program. I’ve partnered with DHS, Probation and Parole, and facilitated groups for adults working toward recovery. Along the way, I’ve learned to use a mix of therapeutic tools—like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Person-Centered Therapy—always tailoring my approach to the individual sitting across from me.

But beyond training and techniques, what drives me is my faith. I believe God and Scripture hold incredible power to bring healing, freedom, and hope. My heart is to be authentic, compassionate, and Christ-centered in every session. Through my own life experiences, I’ve seen God’s redemptive power firsthand, and I count it a privilege to help others encounter that same freedom.

Outside of my work, I’m married and have an adult son. When I’m not in session, you’ll probably find me doing mixed media art, Bible journaling, tackling a home improvement project, or cooking alongside my husband. And when I want to unwind, I love digging into a good documentary or something on the History Channel.

"I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." Philippians 3:12-14 (NLT)