It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. All I knew for sure was that helping others filled my life with purpose. The dream was to do it all—open a shelter, provide therapy, employment services, and anything else to help take someone from houseless to thriving. It was a very ambitious dream that I would love to accomplish someday. 

It's been a bumpy journey, becoming a jack of many trades and master of a few of them. After some twists and turns, I found my way to Lesley University (Cambridge, MA), where I obtained an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Expressive Arts Therapy. I completed additional coursework in Assessment and Diagnosis from Xavier University (Cincinnati, OH) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Global Mental Health Trauma and Recovery from Harvard Medical School. 

I've been incredibly fortunate in having the opportunity to study with two of the founders of Expressive Arts Therapy, which is what drew me to the European Graduate School (Saas-Fee, Switzerland) to pursue a doctoral degree in Expressive Arts Therapy, Coaching, Consulting, Education, Conflict Transformation, and Peacebuilding. I hold a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Expressive Arts Therapy from EGS. My dissertation will be complete someday, but I'm not in a rush. I'm writing it for my own growth. 

Along with art, I enjoy music (listening and playing), hiking and spending time outdoors, reading, photography, traveling, meditation, drinking tea, and spending time with my family, my life partner, and our swarm of cats.