I have always been drawn towards expressing myself creatively through making art with typical and not-so-typical materials.

Art was, and is, my most fluent language. A back injury in my early 20s ended my career as an EMT and created an opportunity for me to explore what could be next. The possibility of pursuing Art Therapy came to me unexpectedly through a transpersonal art experience. In an ordinary afternoon I created a simple, yet powerful painting. Over time, I carefully unfolded it’s meaning and was able to understand myself in ways I had not before. It became clear that I needed to learn more about the deeper exploration of my own art work and the art work of others.

In 2019 I received my masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Art Therapy from Naropa University in Boulder, CO.

Through my graduate education I was able to expand my understanding of mindfulness and the use of art materials and art process in healing. I was also able to work with folks identifying in the LGBTQ+ community for both my practicum, internship and post graduate experience. Supporting the wellbeing of my amazing and vibrant fellow queer individuals and our community as a whole is incredibly important to me.

I started Winter Bird Art Therapy in 2020 during the COVID19 pandemic in order to provide needed creative, therapeutic support to teens and adults in the Longmont area.

These unprecedented times which necessitate restricting just about every aspect of life have added stress and isolation on top of mental health issues that may have been there before. I support clients in using art, within our therapeutic relationship, to help find their own innate capacity for resilience through exploring systemic and personal aspects of pain. I continue to find that it is the most amazing experience to be with people as they deepen their ability to express themselves while finding meaning, acceptance, and strength in what previously seemed broken.