My fascination with psychology began as a child, growing up in the family-owned bar. Watching my father defuse all manner of problems, I knew that I had found my calling. You might be surprised how clinically savvy a bar owner must be.
I worked my way through the University of Colorado at Denver with jobs ranging from security guard to loading dock worker, and earned B.A. degrees in Psychology and Communication. After college, I worked in such glamorous places as detox facilities and a home to troubled teens. I also spent part of each week with the Denver Chapter of the Guardian Angels for five years, where I learned conflict resolution skills from the best in the business.
Having grown up and worked in colorful environments, I took a special interest in violence prevention. Prior to graduate school, I offered training to companies and government organizations, and as part of my doctoral program I designed a violence prevention curriculum for a traumatic brain injury rehabilitation center. Violence prevention remains a passion of mine, and I am proud to be cofounder of a group that offers martial arts and community safety training to adults and adolescents with developmental disabilities.
In 2006 I earned my doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Denver. There, I enjoyed the supervision of top-notch clinical trainers. I was also lucky enough to train at the Colorado Department of Corrections, the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and the International Commission for Missing Persons in Bosnia, among others.
My clinical training has included the treatment of trauma, substance abuse, and traumatic brain injury. I took an early interest in treating anxiety disorders and working with couples. I have been in private practice since 2006.