FAQ
Where can we connect, and when?
767 Pearl Street, #220
Boulder, CO 80302
However, I’m not limited to one location – my therapy services are also available online. I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Colorado and available nationwide for relationship coaching,
Your well-being is my priority. Schedule a free 30-minute Meet/Greet Today!
What is your availability?
My office hours are Monday – Thursday 8am – 7pm and Friday 8 am – 4 pm MDT; Friday evenings and weekends are reserved for intensives.
I work with clients online nationwide and in-person at my office in the heart of Boulder on the West end of Pearl.
I offer a free 30 minute Meet/Greet session via video. This gives us valuable time together to discuss your issues and general goals for therapy. If I determine that I can help you I will share more about my practice and how I work to best meet your needs.
What is an initial Meet/Greet?
I offer a free 30 minute Meet/Greet video meeting for all new clients. This step is a prerequisite before booking a therapy session to ensure that we are a good fit for working together.
For couples therapy, both partners must participate, and this session serves as an informal introduction for everyone involved.
During the Meet/Greet, you can share your primary relationship challenges and goals for therapy/coaching, ask any questions you may have about my approach and how I work.
I’ll attentively listen and offer an honest assessment of how I believe I can assist you. I’ll gladly provide a referral if I think there is a better fit for you elsewhere.
What is your experience as a therapist?
My journey to specializing in relationship recovery wasn’t linear—it was led by curiosity about human connection and healing.
I started as a fish biologist in Alaska, where I discovered my love for nature and preference for working with people over data. This led me to body-based healing as a Structural Integration Practitioner and Therapeutic Yoga Instructor, and eventually to directing rehabilitation at a chronic pain clinic.
Working with chronic pain patients opened my eyes to how trauma lives in the body and shapes our capacity for connection. This sparked my pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, specializing in the intersection of trauma, attachment, and relationships.
For over 20 years, I’ve focused on one core question: How do we break free from the patterns that keep us stuck in painful relationship cycles? This led me to specialize in helping adult children heal from narcissistic family systems and develop the secure attachment they never experienced growing up.
My approach combines proven therapeutic methods:
- AEDP for processing deep emotional wounds
- Brainspotting for trauma stored in the nervous system
- PACT Couples Therapy for creating secure-functioning partnerships
- Somatic approaches that heal the body alongside the mind
The common thread throughout my career has been understanding how our earliest relationships shape our capacity for love, connection, and intimacy. Whether through body work, pain management, or psychotherapy, I’ve always been drawn to helping people reclaim their authentic selves and transform their relationships.
This extensive background gives me a unique perspective on relationship recovery—I understand trauma from multiple angles and know that healing happens in relationship, through the body, and over time.
How do I prepare for a telehealth session?
Here are a few tips to ensure you have the best experience:
If you’re in a couple, sit together in front of the camera and make sure your Internet connection is solid and stable. You can use a tablet, desktop, or smartphone. The larger the screen the better for optimal visibility and connection.
Ensure good lighting on your faces. Please speak clearly – so I can hear and understand each partner.
With whom do you work?
Breaking cycles to create secure love.
I help couples understand how their past shapes their present—recognizing when childhood wounds are driving current conflicts and learning to heal together rather than hurt each other. My focus is helping partners create the secure-functioning relationship they both deserve, regardless of what they experienced growing up.
Whether you’re dating, engaged, married, or in a second partnership, the work is the same: breaking free from the patterns that keep you stuck and building new skills for authentic connection. Many couples come to me when they realize their relationship problems aren’t really about communication—they’re about unhealed trauma showing up between them.
For individuals, I specialize in healing the attachment wounds that sabotage relationships. If you keep attracting the same type of partner, struggling with boundaries, or finding yourself in familiar painful dynamics, we’ll explore how your family of origin shaped your relationship blueprint and work to rewrite it.
This isn’t traditional talk therapy. We’ll work with your nervous system, your body’s responses, and the real-time dynamics between you and your partner (or within yourself). My approach helps you develop secure attachment from the inside out, so you can finally experience the safe, connected relationships you’ve always wanted.
My practice is a sanctuary for deep relationship healing—where you can safely explore your patterns, process your wounds, and practice new ways of loving and being loved.
Do you see single people for relationship counseling as well as couples?
Yes. I provide therapy to individuals who are not in a relationship, as well as couples.
As a single person, you may be grieving the loss of a relationship or want to overcome relationship patterns that have caused you pain and distress in past relationships.
If you’re single, then I can help you heal from previous problems and improve your ability to have a successful relationship in the future.
How do we know if we need premarital counseling?
Premarital counseling can be helpful if you’re a couple who wants to ensure you get your marriage off to a strong start. It can help you set realistic expectations for your relationship as well as improve your communication and conflict regulation skills.
When you first get married, your relationship is typically rosy. You feel in love with one another and can’t imagine anything going wrong. However, in time, differences will surface, and you’ll need to have the skills to navigate those differences.
Successful relationships are not based on what you have in common or what you agree upon. Instead, healthy relationships are based on whether you handle your differences effectively.
Engaging in premarital counseling will also set the tone for seeking help in the future should you need it.
Do you recommend that couples in therapy also seek individual therapy?
Yes, when clinically necessary, I recommend that couples in therapy also consider individual therapy. Individual therapy provides a space for each partner to explore personal issues, gain self-awareness, and work on individual growth.
This can enhance the overall effectiveness of couples therapy by addressing underlying personal challenges that may contribute to relationship issues. It allows individuals to focus on their own healing, contributing positively to the dynamics of the couple’s therapeutic process.
What do you care about most when working with your clients?
When working with my clients, my primary concern is their well-being and growth. I am deeply committed to fostering a supportive and empathetic environment where clients feel heard, understood, and respected.
My focus is on helping them navigate challenges, build healthier relationships, and achieve their personal and relational goals.
I prioritize creating a space for open communication, trust, and collaboration, aiming for positive transformations in their lives.
What is your education and training?
Education and specialized training in relationship recovery.
Academic Foundation: MA in Clinical Psychology from Santa Barbara Graduate Institute and BA in Biology from Wittenberg University. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Colorado with post-graduate training from Denver Family Institute.
Relationship Recovery Specialization:
PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy) – Advanced training with founder Dr. Stan Tatkin. I participate in weekly case consultation to stay current with the latest attachment science. PACT’s rigorous certification requires both personal healing work and advanced clinical skills.
Trauma-Informed Approaches:
- AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy) – for processing deep emotional wounds and accessing natural resilience
- Transformative Couples Therapy (TCT) – AEDP adapted for couples work, trained directly with developer David Mars
- Brainspotting – targets trauma stored in the nervous system to reduce symptoms and promote healthy integration
Additional Certifications: Board Certified Relationship Coach, Emotion-Focused Therapy, The Gottman Method, Master Certification in Intuition Medicine®, Nonviolent Communication, ACNP – Treating Adult Children of Narcissistic Parents
What sets my training apart is the integration of cutting-edge attachment science with trauma-informed healing. This combination allows me to help clients understand how their nervous systems learned to protect them in childhood and how to rewire those responses for secure adult relationships.
My ongoing education focuses on one goal: helping people break generational patterns and create the secure, connected relationships they deserve.
What are your own personal experiences with therapy?
I believe in the value of personal growth and have actively engaged in therapy myself. These experiences have provided me with insights into the transformative power of therapy, fostering empathy and understanding of my clients’ journeys.
Acknowledging the benefits of personal therapeutic exploration, I bring a genuine and compassionate perspective to my practice, recognizing the courage it takes to embark on a path of self-discovery and healing.
What are your strengths and limitations as a therapist?
My strengths lie in creating a safe and supportive space for clients to explore their challenges openly. I am skilled in integrating various therapeutic modalities, offering a holistic approach. My strengths also include intuitive empathic listening and fostering a collaborative therapeutic relationship.
Like any professional, I have limitations. While I strive for cultural competence, I recognize the ongoing need for learning and growth in this area. Additionally, as a human, I may not have all the answers. However, my commitment is to work collaboratively with clients to navigate challenges and seek solutions together.
What is your general philosophy and approach to helping? Are you more directive or more guiding?
My general philosophy centers on a collaborative and client-centered approach. I believe in co-creating a therapeutic journey where clients actively participate in their growth. While I can provide guidance, my approach is not strictly directive.
Instead, I aim to empower clients by helping them discover their strengths, navigate challenges, and make informed decisions. It’s about fostering autonomy within a supportive therapeutic relationship.
What are some of your top relationship book recommendations?
I am trained by Stan Tatkin, PsyD, MFT, a clinician, researcher, teacher, and developer of A Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy® (PACT). I highly recommend any of his books.
If you decide to work me I will encourage you to read or listen to one or more of these books together as a couple.
- Wired for Love (2nd edition): How Understanding Your Partner’s Brain and Attachment Style Can Help You Defuse Conflict and Build a Secure Relationship
- Your Brain on Love: The Neurobiology of Healthy Relationships
- In Each Other’s Care: A Guide to the Most Common Relationship Conflicts and How to Work Through Them
- We Do: Saying Yes to a Relationship of Depth, True Connection, and Enduring Love
- Relationship RX: Insights and Practices to Overcome Chronic Fighting and Return to Love
- Wired for Dating: How Understanding Neurobiology and Attachment Style Can Help You Find Your Ideal Mate
- Baby Bomb: A Relationship Survival Guide for New Parents
Do you accept insurance?
I am not a provider with any insurance plan and I do not bill insurance or participate in Medicare. You may submit receipts for services to your insurance plan for possible reimbursement, which will depend on your particular plan’s coverage for out-of-network providers.
Before scheduling an appointment, let’s talk to ensure that the treatment I can provide is likely to be the proper fit for your clinical needs and circumstances.