I graduated early from Brigham Young University with a degree in Family Science in 1999. While there, I became fascinated by the different disciplines for helping others. It was an easy decision to pick Marriage and Family Therapy as my chosen field because it fit best with how I believe change is made and maintained.
I went on to University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I picked that school because it was ranked in the top 10 by AAMFT, a nationally accredited organization for Marriage and Family Therapists. There I received personalized training because they only accept 6 applicants out of an average of 60-100 applicants. I learned the craft of Marriage and Family therapy by having information given to me through an ear piece while professors and colleagues watched through a one-way mirror. I also interned at Lutheran Family Services and received excellent training and supervision while seeing couples and families. While there I excelled in the research field. My thesis won top honors in the University and portions of my research went on to be published.
After graduate school, 2001, I moved with my husband back to California to be near family and begin our own family. I began working at Placer County Children's System of Care as a therapist for children and families who were struggling in school. I worked with adolescents, young school-aged kids, couples and families with severe issues for 5 years. I loved that work and gained a lot of experience with IEPs, school psychologists, and working through school and county systems. I was licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences in 2004.
I then transferred to a position working with adults who are on probation. Here I worked with clients with Substance Abuse Disorders, Personality Disorders, Depression, Anxiety, and other issues. Again, I incorporate the whole family when possible to achieve the best outcomes. I run several groups weekly and maintain individual and family therapy.
In early 2007 I was promoted to Supervisor. I have been able to stretch my abilities to administrative and oversight skills. I have been able to implement new programs and develop our workforce, education, and training needs in Placer County.
I love my private practice that provides me the ability to continue working with clients and utilize my clinical skills in a variety of different ways. Working with couples, families, teenagers, and children is very rewarding. I enjoy the flexibility and ability to provide the best services possible to families who want to be in therapy. Contracting out with agencies to provide parenting classes and trainings for employees has diversified and added to my experience. I greatly enjoyed teaching a class at Alliant International University and working with new therapists. It is very rewarding to teach new therapists the skills of therapeutic techniques. Providing supervision to Marriage and Family Therapy Interns gives me the ability to give back now and pass on the skills I have acquired to produce more quality therapists in the area. Most of all, I really enjoy my clients and seeing people grow and reach their personal goals.
Please ask if you have any questions about my experience or training.
Personally, I am married with 3 young children. I understand the pressures of a hectic family/work schedule and strive to maximize every moment. When I'm not working, I love any spare moment I can spend alone with my husband (seems rare!), taking the kids swimming @ the Gym, helping in my daughter's classroom, and seeing new places with my family.
I look forward to working with you...
