I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Yoga Teacher with over 20 years of experience working with middle and high school-aged youth and adults in a variety of settings. My practice is grounded in strengthening the distress tolerance skills of those whom I work with through mindfulness practice and supportive examination of the thought patterns that are limiting each individual's potential. While I am trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques, my approach is relational and client-centered, focusing on the specific goals of each individual and working with them in partnership as we journey towards that goal.
Though I have experience with and a desire to work with anyone who feels they could benefit from this type of support, I also have a passion for supporting the specific social-emotional needs of neurodivergent individuals, particularly the existential dilemma so many face beginning at a very young age. My work has extended to consultation and support for educational professionals who work with this population. I have presented and served on expert panels at several conferences, including the SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted) Annual Conference (2015), the Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented (CAGT) Annual Conference (2013-2022) and Beyond Giftedness (2014-2021) and have been honored to serve the closing speaker for the 2015 State TAG District Coordinators Conference and as the keynote speaker for the 2020 Colorado Association of Educators of the Gifted, Talented, and Creative (CAEGTC) Annual Gala and most recently, as a keynote speaker at the 2022 CAGT Conference this past October. I also had the distinct honor of being the inaugural speaker for Conversations with CAGT, a Facebook Live series started during the pandemic. In addition, I have provided workshops, parent presentations, and professional development within school districts throughout Colorado, including Boulder Valley School District, Summit County (through Summit Advocates for Gifted Education), Canon City Schools, Colorado Springs Schools, Jefferson County Schools, St. Vrain Valley Schools, Thompson School District and RE-1 Valley School District in Sterling, CO. I have also been honored to present workshops for gifted youth at the 2017 and 2019 PG Retreats and in 2021, appeared as a guest presenter.
In addition to my clinical work, I am a regional trainer for Sources of Strength, a comprehensive wellness and resiliency program which seeks to provide the highest quality evidence-based prevention for suicide, violence, bullying and substance abuse by training, supporting, and empowering both peer leaders and caring adults to impact their world through the power of connection, hope, help and strength. I am also the Clinical Trainer and Board Member of Colie's Closet, a non-profit peer education organization whose mission is to educate students in Boulder Valley School District about depression and suicide with the goal of decreasing youth suicide.