Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Colorado

I was raised in San Diego, CA, and received my PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado. I completed both my doctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at CU Boulder's Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS). I prioritize a generalist approach that prepares me to work effectively with a very wide range of concerns in therapy, and I have specializations in providing compassionate crisis services as well as behavioral health support in medical settings.

I am a trauma-focused therapist and I work with adolescents, adults and couples navigating anxiety, depression, PTSD, childhood abuse, and other distressing life experiences.

With an extensive background spanning the full continuum of care—from outpatient services to long-term inpatient mental health—I have dedicated my career to supporting individuals across a vast spectrum of life experiences. My professional journey has been shaped by the guidance of exceptional mentors and supervisors who have instilled in me a commitment to continuous growth as a provider.

I have had the privilege of serving a wide range of populations, including:

• Adolescent mothers and youth in the foster care system
• Individuals within youth corrections
• Military veterans and those navigating the complexities of post-service life
• Survivors of domestic violence in recovery
• The geriatric population and adults navigating significant life transitions

I believe that true healing and growth begin with authenticity. Long before it became a trending term, I sought to show up as my authentic self in every room—whether presenting to a leadership team in a government agency or sitting one-on-one with a client late into the evening.

My style is rooted in transparency. I recognize my own strengths and deficits, a practice that keeps me grounded and humble while giving me the confidence to face life’s most daunting challenges alongside my clients. I don’t believe in a "one-size-fits-all" approach; instead, I meet my clients exactly where they are, viewing them as the true experts of their own lives.

Finding mental health care can be daunting. Often individuals come to me confused about what they are feeling, why they are feeling that way, and how to make change. This process can be even more confusing if you come from a marginalized community or have felt othered in ways that make you question your intuition. I want to take the time and care necessary to get to the heart of what makes you who you are. The details of what you are experiencing matter. The only way I can help is if I truly understand.

A little bit about me:

I moved to Denver in the summer of 2020 having spent most of my life as a northern Californian.

My earlier experiences working in behavioral research on HIV prevention led me to a career in nursing. I attended the University of CA - San Francisco where I finished my master’s degree in nursing in 2008. I trained both as an adult primary care nurse practitioner and also as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, which was particularly helpful when starting my first nursing job in a very busy ED in Washington DC. There I found myself gravitating towards psychiatric care and decided to practice mental health care exclusively.

Since that time I have worked in mental health in various roles and settings, both inpatient and outpatient, in high acuity contexts as well as in primary care and prevention. I gained experience working with medically complicated/fragile patients and those with co-occurring substance use disorders. I've provided integrated behavioral health care to adult outpatients attending primary care clinics in CA, working closely with MDs, NPs and others, and across various specialties, in order to increase utilization and improve outcomes in behavioral health care. This work led me to my current interest in caring for healthcare providers themselves, whose mental health can often go overlooked.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and thank you for taking the first step in “taking back your life” from a mental illness. I feel that each person possess’ the needed internal mechanisms for success in their life. My goal is to assist you through integrative, lifestyle, and medication management combined with the internal strengths you possess to assist in guiding you through this journey we call life. I have been in the health care field for 12+ years.

Life can be overwhelming, and sometimes the challenges we face—whether it’s the stress of being a new parent, navigating a difficult relationship, managing trauma, or dealing with anxiety and depression—can feel insurmountable. I believe that every person has inherent strengths that can be harnessed to create positive change. In our work together, we will explore your unique needs and build practical, personalized tools that empower you to navigate life’s challenges with confidence.

With over 20 years of experience in diverse behavioral health settings, I bring a wealth of knowledge and understanding to help you navigate challenges. I specialize in maternal mental health, trauma, women's issues, relational issues, family conflict, substance use concerns, anxiety, and work or career-related stress.