What made you decide to become a therapist? I feel this profession is a calling. I remember my friend’s mom in high school telling me “you put people at ease.” That stuck with me and I remember thinking, “how can I use this to help others?” My aunt and uncle are therapists and greatly inspired my pursuit of this path.
If you could teach the world one skill or technique to improve their lives, what would it be? I would teach the world that we are not our thoughts, and thoughts are not fact and we are not powerless to them. This realization that we can challenge inaccurate, negative thinking and take back control was life changing for me.
Have you personally been in counseling and if so, what did you learn about yourself? I have been in counseling several different times throughout my life while facing different life challenges, and I found each time helpful and revealing. I personally believe everyone can benefit from counseling because we can always improve self awareness. I learned we all must all be willing to face the painful or difficult aspects of ourselves, or the Shadow as Jung calls it, if we want to work towards personal wholeness, healing, and growth.
If you could recommend one book to all your clients, what would it be? The Prophet by Khalil Gibran. A mentor gave it to me, and I am forever grateful.
What inspires you to help others? I draw inspiration from the relationships I forge with clients and the strength and resilience I get to witness in each of them. I also believe in the idea that we are all connected to each other by collective humanity, and we share the same pains, joys, hopes, and fears. We are all in this together, and we need good company along this sometimes rocky journey! Who is your ideal client? I don’t have an ideal client, because each person is at their own unique place in the change process, and that is okay! I try to meet clients where they’re at, and together we will begin there. How do you personally practice self-care? Music is a transcendent force in my life and has been since about age 3. Music has the remarkable ability to bring people together, to evoke emotions and memories, to heal, and to inspire. Being active and outdoors is key for me maintaining centered. I’m excited to enjoy all of Austin’s natural beauty! I also enjoy reading with my cat May snuggled in my lap. How do you relate to Mindfulness? How do you incorporate it in your sessions? Mindfulness can take many forms and its practice will be different for each individual. I always teach the basic concepts of mindfulness and suggest different practices depending on the person’s preferences. I personally use mindful walking and recommend it to those who also enjoy nature.
Your favorite quote? “Have patience towards all that is unresolved in your heart, and try to love the questions themselves.” -Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet- If you are hosting a dinner party, who are the 3 people you would invite and why? Prince (the musician), Rumi (the poet), and my best friend. The conversation among the three would be priceless.