My Story

I am A LOT of things.

I am a mom, avid dog lover, author, speaker, comedian, elementary and junior high teacher, and mental health professional.

I am a certified Trauma, PTSD and Grief Recovery Specialist who helps people explore their journeys of hope and healing out of complex trauma, specializing in PTSD recovery.

But my healing journey out of PTSD is so much more.

I am a Certified Specialist.

My Official Credentials

I am a certified Trauma, PTSD and Grief Recovery Specialist who supports and guides people through their journeys of hope and healing out of complex trauma. I specialize in PTSD recovery.

​​In 2006, I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. After going through PTSD Remediation in 2020, I no longer had PTSD symptoms and I was inspired to help others find their own paths through the healing process. 

I continue to study my craft as a Trauma Recovery Coach with the International Association of Trauma Recovery Coaching, and I am certified to work with adolescents and adults, individually and in groups. I also continue to study with the Grief Recovery Method as an advanced certified Grief Recovery Specialist, working with individuals and groups on processing grief events.

I am a survivor helping survivors.

It took me a long time to get comfortable saying this out loud to myself and to other people, but I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. In addition, I have experienced psychological abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect by my alcoholic and abusive parents.

So when people refer to “complex trauma,” I know exactly what that means. I have been diagnosed with PTSD, but thanks to PTSD Remediation, I no longer experience those symptoms. I continue to manage depression and anxiety, healing from the results of my traumatic experiences.

I am transforming.

My story is about transformation.

Have you ever seen a caterpillar change into a butterfly? People tend to be romantic about that process, but it is messy. It literally stinks. Watching the process through a glass jar or mesh net is difficult, especially as the butterfly emerges and has to pump its wings and red ink drips down to the bottom of the container.

Transformation is messy, but I would not choose any other way. While I suffered with trauma for decades, I officially got help in 2006. My father-in-law had just died, I had two preschool-aged children, and I was at the end of my coping strategies. I contacted a therapist and have spent many years working through issues in one-on-one sessions, small groups, classes, and in conferences.

Since then, I have gone through the caterpillar-chrysalis-butterfly transformation over and over again, cultivating new beliefs, coping skills, knowledge, and wisdom, along with healthy doses of self-love.

I am a lifelong learner.

As a trauma survivor, I am active in my own recovery. If I recommend a book or person or organization or healing modality, I have personal experience with it. If I don’t know something, I will look it up and find out more. I am open to new discoveries in trauma recovery, as this can only help us both!

I am a traveler on our shared journey.

I get lost. All the time.

A Map is a Shared Route

The good news is that you don’t have to navigate alone. For the last two decades, I have learned that grief and trauma are not processed in a straight line. We hesitate to take that first step, afraid of what we might encounter. After all, there is no GPS for this healing journey. But with a shared route and a compass, we can find a way together.

Compassion, Curiosity, & Connection

Compasses help us find our way when we are lost, and “compass” is also the root of the word “compassion.” You have within you a built-in directionality – a compass, if you will – and everything you need in order to live a more full and enjoyable life now. The life that you have deserved all along.

But how do we find that direction? Curiosity, a powerful tool that helps guide us on the path. Together we will ask the questions and find the answers you need to turn that messy map – that overturned plate of spaghetti – into pathways that will guide you to connection and fulfillment.

My passion is trauma recovery. I dream of a world that is trauma-informed, approaching people with compassion and curiosity. What about you?

I help my clients process trauma and grief experiences in order to eradicate PTSD triggers, cultivate emotional completeness, and feel greater peace. The first 30-minute consultation is free! Book your free Discovery Call and see if we can map your healing journey together.