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?
I have 20+ years of experience as a therapist, coach, healer, and guide. Before that, I worked as a Structural Integration Practitioner and Therapeutic Yoga Instructor. I was the Director of Rehabilitation at a chronic pain osteopathic clinic. My career started out as a fish biologist in Alaska where I learned that I love to live close to nature and prefer working with people rather than numbers.
Treating the chronic pain population sparked my curiosity about how trauma is held in the body which led me to pursue a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in somatic psychology, affective neuroscience, interpersonal neurobiology, attachment trauma and all the ins and outs of secure and insecure functioning relationships.
I have many years of clinical and personal experience that I bring to my work in helping clients heal their deepest wounds. I have extensive training and experience focused on helping adult children heal from the impact of growing up with narcissistic parents, and healing from narcissistic abuse and antagonistic relational stress in romantic, friend, work, and family relationships.
The approaches that I have found most effective for healing are Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Brainspotting (BSP), Transformative Couples Therapy (TCT), and the Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT). I am also a graduate of the Masters of Intuition Medicine® Program with founder Francesca McCartney, Ph.D. This deep transformational work is an essential path for your expansion of intuitive development, energetic healing, and personal wisdom gathering.
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?
I help couples work together to foster personal and relationship growth, heal unresolved hurts, and co-create a safe, secure-functioning relationship.
My expertise extends to couples at all stages of their relationship journey, whether you’re just starting to date, preparing for marriage, navigating the complexities of a committed partnership, or embracing the opportunities of second or subsequent marriages.
I help individuals to face their own contributions to relationship stress by providing clarity and direction, and tools to navigate their couple and family relationships. Many individuals come to me with unresolved grief and trauma from early attachment wounds. I walk with you on your healing path where you will gain the inner resources to move forward and live your life with more ease and grace.
My private therapy practice is a safe and sacred space for healing and soul growth in relationships.
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?
I have a MA in Clinical Psychology from Santa Barbara Graduate Institute, and a BA in Biology from Wittenberg University. I reside in Boulder, Colorado and am licensed in Colorado as a Marriage and Family Therapist. I have post-graduate training in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Denver Family Institute in Denver, Colorado.
I’m a Board Certified Relationship Coach trained by The Life Coach Institute and The Relationship Coaching Institute. I have training in the Gottman Method from the Relationship Research Institute, The Developmental Model from the Couples Institute, Emotion Focused Couple Therapy from the Colorado Center for EFT, Master Certification in Intuition Medicine® from the Academy for Intuition Medicine, Nonviolent Communication from the Center for Nonviolent Communication and extensive training in trauma that has shaped my clinical approach to be experiential, integral, holistic, and somatic.
I have advanced training in the Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT) and work directly with the founder Dr. Stan Tatkin and his certified clinicians on weekly basis to staff cases and stay up to date on the latest science and research. PACT requires rigorous training that involves personal healing, professional growth, and advanced knowledge and clinical skills.
I am trained in Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP). This type of psychotherapy helps people overcome emotional challenges and trauma. It is based on the idea that people are naturally resilient and have the ability to cope with emotional pain, but that trauma can limit access to these skills. I am also trained by David Mars the developer of AEDP for couples now called Transformative Couples Therapy (TCT).
I am trained in Brainspotting. Brainspotting is a powerful approach that targets trauma by helping process and release stored traumatic memories. This method reduces distressing symptoms and helps your brain integrate these experiences in a healthier, more adaptive way.
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.