My Journey
My path to this work certainly hasn't been linear. As a child, my "career" ambitions were three-fold: I wanted to be a nun, a trucker and an architect. I longed to love God with a sturdiness of heart, get the hell out of the Atlanta suburbs, and build new, more sensible worlds. In terms of priorities, not much has changed. I delight in the Mystery of the more than human world. I'm not much of a fan of the burbs, but I don't mind a bit if you are. And, I stand ten toes down as an imperfect, and ever learning, member of the Rainbow Coalition.
My actual career trajectory looked a little different: my first academic love was sociology, perhaps because it validated what I was seeing all around me—false notions of meritocracy. I was drawn to the study of power, particularly power over dynamics rooted in white supremacy, patriarchy, heteronormativity, classism and ableism. In my mid twenties, I spent several years in a Ph.D. program before realizing my heart was engaged in an argument partially rooted in traumas that I had not yet fully metabolized. My body resisted the rigid analysis and competitive spirit of that academic incubator.
I listened.
About fifteen years later, though, I made my way back to Vanderbilt—this time to pursue a Master of Education in Human Development Counseling. By then, I was buoyed by a stint of really good therapy and solid life experience: jobs in both the nonprofit and corporate sectors, and several transformative years as a stay-at-home parent where I had to grow myself up in order to raise my daughter.
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I was fortunate to have really strong support as I was stepped into my professional role as counselor. Mentored by the incomparable "Trauma Mama", Linda Manning, Ph.D at Vanderbilt's Center for Integrative Medicine, I worked alongside physicians supporting patients facing chronic pain, autoimmune disorders and more. These courageous humans taught me so much about mind-body-spirit holism as they worked to inhabit the truth of their pain with skillfulness, dignity and grace.
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Next, I spent several years at an Employee Assistance Program, honing my skills while supporting medical professionals from all walks of life. It was deeply rewarding work, although sometimes challenging—those gifted at caring for others often struggle to turn toward themselves and receive support. It took patience, but lots of good work happened along the way.
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I launched my private practice in 2017 and haven't looked back. Working as a therapist is an ideal gig for lifelong learners. As the field evolves and I grow in my own process, there are endless opportunities to expand the offering. Some of the most resonant internationally recognized trainings I've attended include Hakomi, Somatic Experiencing, and Emotionally Focused Therapy. More recently, I've found the work of trauma therapist, Linda Thai, to be deeply integrative and in some ways cutting edge with her explicitly decolonial approach.
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But by far the greatest catalyst for my growth, both personally and professionally, has been local trainings facilitated locally by Kenneth Robinson, M.T.S, and Linda Manning, Ph.D. Their gift for creating soul deep opportunities for self-realization within a dedicated community of healing practitioners has sustained me and supported the work I offer to my clients for more than 15 years.
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I'll close with some words from Susan Raffo:
"Your work as a healing practitioner can only go so far as you know—not just with your mind but with your whole self—the complexity of the stories and lives woven into and remembered by the ground that is beneath your feet."
I've certainly covered some ground in my own journey, and I'd be
honored to walk alongside you as you do the same.
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You're worth it.
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