Family therapy and counseling in Chandler, AZ

As a dedicated trauma therapist, I bring compassionate and evidenced based approach to supporting individuals on their healing journeys. With specialized training in EMDR therapy, Safe and Sound Protocol and Deep Brain Reorienting I am equipped to provide clients with highest standard of care.

I realize that it is not an easy decision to enter counseling, to tell someone your innermost thoughts, beliefs, feelings and I am here to support you through this process so you are empowered to live your best life.

I was born and raised in the Chicagoland area. My undergraduate B.A and graduate M.A. training took place at Wheaton College. Following graduate school in the midwest, I moved to the west coast, where I attended the California School of Professional Psychology. Here, I earned a M.A in applied psychology and Psy. D. in clinical psychology with a dual emphasis in forensics and family therapy. My research consisted of working with high risk sexual offenders. Following my time on the west coast, I worked as a Staff Psychologist and Assistant Professor at a local university. In my free time, I train in combat arts and play guitar (try at least ;-).

I am a double board-certified Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience across the continuum of psychiatric care, including acute psychiatric emergencies, inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, geriatric mental health, intellectual and developmental disability services, and healthcare management. I hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and am currently completing my Doctorate, reflecting my ongoing commitment to clinical excellence, evidence-based practice, and lifelong learning.

Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals and families navigating a wide range of psychiatric conditions, from situational anxiety and depression to severe and persistent mental illness. My clinical experience includes extensive work with schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma-related conditions, and mood instability across the lifespan. I am particularly experienced in caring for geriatric patients, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and patients with complex medication regimens requiring careful evaluation, simplification, and long-term stabilization.

I also work closely with college-aged patients and adults who are navigating academic pressure, career transitions, family dynamics, identity development, and the cumulative stressors that can emerge during periods of high responsibility or change. Many of my patients are high-functioning individuals who appear “put together” on the outside but struggle internally with anxiety, rumination, intrusive thoughts, emotional dysregulation, or burnout. Others are managing chronic psychiatric illness while striving to maintain independence, relationships, and quality of life.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the past 14 years, I have found that every person possesses the ability to change. I graduated with my masters degree from Loyola University Chicago where I specialized in working with older adults. I have since expanded my expertise to include all ages of adults who are experiencing trauma, depression, anxiety, or difficult life changes.

Most of us haven’t made it through life without a few bruises. Sometimes we lose touch with ourselves along the way, shaped by what we’ve been through and the weight of those experiences.

That doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you. It means you adapted. Sometimes beautifully. Sometimes painfully. Often both.

Therapy is a space to slow down, get curious, and gently begin untangling what you’ve been carrying. Together, we can explore your story with compassion, reconnect with who you are beneath old patterns, and move toward a way of living that feels more aligned, grounded, and authentic.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care to adolescents and adults. My passion is helping individuals navigate life's challenges while creating a supportive, collaborative environment where they feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout their treatment journey.

My educational background includes a Bachelor of Clinical Laboratory Science from DeVry University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University, and a Master of Science in Nursing from Wilkes University.