Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Durango, CO

As both a mental health and addiction professional, I bring a compassionate and holistic perspective to my work with clients. I understand that each person’s experiences are unique, and I strive to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients feel comfortable exploring challenges, building on their strengths, and working toward meaningful change.

My educational background reflects my commitment to understanding the connection between mental health, trauma, and overall well-being. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion with a minor in Psychology from Colorado State University–Pueblo, followed by a Master of Social Work with a concentration in Mental Health and Trauma from the University of Denver.

In therapy with me, you’ll find a space that balances comfort with challenge. We’ll explore what matters most, get curious about patterns, and use humor when it helps lighten the load. I work with individuals and couples, helping you reconnect with your strengths, make meaningful choices, and build relationships that feel genuine to you.

I can help you to develop a warm, loving relationship with the parts of yourself that may get in the way of the healing and recovery you are interested in. With attention to how pain, loss, and suffering can be held in the body and through cultivating compassion and attention, together we can work to move these experiences through to completion and create space for something new.

I began this journey just seeking to learn about psychology and the nature of human behavior. The more I learned, the more I became fascinated with how resilient humans are in the face of significant challenges. However, what I found was that people will continue to live with underlying pain, because of the stigma previously put on people seeking help with mental health and trauma issues. I found that people created their own ways of coping and it often involved creating more harm. I knew at this time that I wanted to help people begin to face tough emotions and move toward healing the emotional pain.

I received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology in 1991 and a Master of Science Degree in General Psychology in 1993 from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS. I later went back for another Master of Science Degree in Counseling Psychology from Avila University in Kansas City, MO in 2014.

I have worked in the areas of domestic violence, at-risk youth, at-risk families, foster and adoption, and addiction. I specialize in working with trauma and addiction.

I am client-centered in my approach, and I believe that treatment should be tailored to the individual client's needs and goals. I have training in multiple theoretical approaches, and am dedicated to helping clients heal from past traumas, rebuild their confidence and self-worth, and find meaning in their lives. I believe that although seeking therapeutic help can be intimidating, when we work together to create meaningful change, we can achieve increased life satisfaction and happiness.