LGBT therapists in Sandy, UT

When life gives you lemons...

My education gave me the tools to be a skilled clinician. But it was my own trauma that gave me the insight and depth I bring to this work. I know what it feels like to live in a body that doesn’t feel safe—to question everything, including yourself. I spent over a decade learning how to heal, reclaim my voice, and become the kind of guide I once needed.

In the midst of that long journey, I had a quiet moment of clarity: what I was going through wasn’t just about survival—it was about becoming someone who could walk with others through the dark. That experience grounds my work in both knowledge and deep compassion.

Learning to love the desert

I’ve come to believe that being lost isn’t a problem—it’s part of the path. Like La Loba, the mythical bone-gatherer who wanders the desert collecting what’s been buried and brings it back to life, I help others gather what they’ve lost along the way. That process is sacred, slow, and often surprising—but it’s how we come home to ourselves.

There are parts of you that haven’t died; they’ve just been waiting. And sometimes, when it all falls apart, that’s when the wild, wise parts of you rise again.

As a social worker with seven years of experience in the field, I strive to work from an open, curious, and empowering approach in therapy. I've worked with a number of clients who struggle with various issues including anxiety, depression, and Bipolar Disorder among other things. I recognize the lasting effects trauma can have on a person and specialize in treating it, specifically using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

I provide a non Judgmental, positive environment for all populations I serve. I have a no nonsense, direct approach to therapy.

I specialize in working with individuals navigating Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), personality disorders, trauma, and the unique stressors faced by first responders. I also enjoy supporting clients through major life transitions, including shifts in identity, relationships, and belief systems.

I am thoughtful about diagnosis and do not rush to label or pathologize clients. Instead, I focus on understanding the full picture of what you’re experiencing and creating a treatment plan that feels relevant, practical, and aligned with your goals.

I strive to provide an open-minded, culturally responsive, and nonjudgmental therapeutic space. I welcome conversations around diverse relationship structures, including ethical non-monogamy (ENM), as well as faith transitions, spiritual exploration, and deconstruction.

Whether you are managing anxiety, healing from trauma, navigating motherhood or identity changes, or simply feeling stuck, therapy can be a place to better understand yourself and create meaningful change.

I believe therapy should be a dynamic, collaborative process that yields real-world results. My practice is built on a foundation of academic excellence and specialized training, including a BA in Psychology from University of Southern California and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Utah.

My Therapeutic Toolkit: Evidence-Based & Proactive

I don't believe in a "one-size-fits-all" approach. I blend several powerful, evidence-based modalities to help you achieve your goals quickly and effectively:

• ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy): A specialized approach for trauma and PTSD that uses eye movements to "reprogram" distressing memories and sensations, often providing relief in just a few sessions.
• CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): We will work together to identify and shift the thought patterns that keep you stuck in cycles of anxiety or depression.
• DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy): I provide practical skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and improving relationships—giving you a "manual" for navigating life's hardest moments.

With 10+ years as an LCSW, I focus on trauma treatment so you can move forward and create a life you enjoy living with more regulated moods and empowerment of who you are!

It can take work and lots of practice to find the key to balance in your life. I personally find my balance through ongoing self-care, self-reflection, and movement.

I have been in the counseling field for over a decade starting first in Forensic Counseling as an intern and spending 10 years in community mental health. I am now an owner of a private practice where I provide individual therapy ages 18+. My practice is in Wisconsin and offer telehealth to residents in Colorado, Florida, and Utah.

Map & Lantern Counseling is about helping your chart your path forward through the unknown and sometimes treacherous waters of life. I want you to feel as if you are embarking on an adventure where along the way you obtain the best tools for you to conquer and overcome. I have been in the social service industry working with non-profit organizations for over 14 years as a social worker. I have worked in therapeutic foster care, homeless services, and residential inpatient treatment for mental health and substance abuse disorder. My experience working in community mental health with both men and adolescents, veterans, LGBTQIA+ and an extensive background in serving individuals struggling with addiction - I am confident in being able to assist with helping you navigate and achieve your goals.