A favorite game we played as kids was to make up stories together, each contributing a sentence or two at a time.  As we grew older, and further apart geographically, our story telling became more about staying connected through sharing our lives and experiences.  It never matters how long it has been since we have seen or talked with each other, we always pick our friendship back up right were we left off.  Our unique and long lasting friendship has seen us through the ups and downs of life. 

I remember sitting around the campfire, as a young girl, listening to my aunts, uncles, and cousins talk and share stories.  Every summer we would  go on a family camping trip for a whole week.  Even as a young child I remember being fascinated with listening to other peoples’ stories and experiences.  

I loved the adventures we went on during the days, and equally loved the sometimes rowdy loud, sometimes quietly serious talking that went on for hours into the night- until the camp ranger would come around to remind us it was quiet time and shoo us off to our tents. 

I have never lost the love and curiosity that I have for people and their stories, experiences and perspectives.  In fact, from the time I was in middle school I knew I wanted my career and life to revolve around helping people.  Truly listening and hearing people’s stories is essential in the helping process.  I focused on my goal and received my Master’s degree in social work in 2003.  Since then , I have worked as a Clinical Social Worker, doing psychotherapy and counseling with individuals and families in a variety of settings.  

As a therapist, I have a deep appreciation for the importance of being seen and being heard.  Connection is a core human need.  I am excited to help build a community where we can be seen and heard and where we can learn and grow together.

I’ve realized with all the moves, each one took a lot of courage. But one thing that helped me get through it all was having people I connected with. As I have gotten older, I have realized that I have loved listening to people’s stories. Listening to others’ experiences has given me comfort because I know I’m not alone in life’s challenges. In my adult life I have been through many more situations which required a lot of courage. Sometimes it has felt like impossible courage. 

I know now that all of us have had to summon courage and have an important story to tell about it.