About Me
Like many therapists, my interest in this work began while coming to terms with my own experiences. Why did my throat close up when I tried sharing my feelings with others? What was that weird brain-fog that would come over me during times of overwhelm? Why did I sometimes find it easy to feel close with people I cared about, and other times struggle to feel connected with these same people? Whatever was happening in my body in these moments, it rarely made sense to me.
Through therapy and meditation practice I slowly got to know (and even befriend) my inner experience. In the process I developed a passion for exploring not just my own inner landscape, but the inner worlds we all carry inside of us. These inner worlds are their own beautiful mysteries— often the holding place for our deepest wounds while also being the fertile ground for the unique gifts that make us who we are.
This fascination eventually became my path into therapy. Since 2015 I have worked as a therapist in various settings, specializing in integrating mindfulness practices and modern neuroscience research into the therapy relationship. My passion is fusing “right brain” mind-body therapies with concrete “left-brain” information about how our bodies hold trauma and respond to stress. I find that the more people understand how their body works, the more easily they can navigate life’s challenges and feel at home with themselves.
For five years I worked in community mental health at SAFE Alliance, walking alongside people from many backgrounds as they healed from childhood abuse/neglect, sexual assault, family violence, spiritual harm, and the effects of systemic inequality. This work gave me a special appreciation for survivors of complex trauma. Since 2018 I have worked in private practice, specializing in supporting adult survivors of abuse and neglect during childhood. Most recently, I have begun integrating the next frontier of experiential therapy– Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies– into my professional work, offering Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy in my practice. Outside of my private practice, I also work at Dell Medical School’s Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy. There, I help facilitate safe psychedelic experiences in studies exploring how these approaches may support people’s mental and emotional well-being.
Outside of my work as a therapist I am a (slightly obsessive) gardener, slowly transforming my yard into a burst of wildflowers. I enjoy watching EPL soccer on Saturday mornings (Go Arsenal!), doing New York Times Crosswords with my wife, sipping home-made cold brew, and taking endless photos of my dog’s adorable underbite.
Therapy with Me
My practice is:
Mindfulness-based
Embodiment-focused
Heart-centered
Rather than focusing only on coping or managing, I like to explore transformation from the inside out. My intention is to help people understand and transform old patterns, making room for new ways of being that feel more aligned with who they truly are. Over time, I’ve seen that the more we can understand and befriend our inner world, the more capacity we have for true growth and change. But thoughts and insights alone aren't what transforms us. Imagine eating your favorite food for the first time: Someone could spend hours describing the flavors, the textures, the smells… and yet you can only truly understand by having the experience of eating it.
Many of our deepest wounds live beyond words and logic, which is why purely cognitive approaches often fall short. Most of us know a lot about our struggles and where they come from, yet the patterns still persist. We often need the safety of a trusting relationship to truly feel into the experiences that shape us. That’s why I pay close attention to your body and your present-moment experience as we move through our work together.
Drawing from Hakomi Somatic Psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing, and EMDR, I’ll support you in learning the “language” of your inner experience: the emotions that arise as you speak, the sensations that move through your body in moments of vulnerability, and what unfolds between us as we connect. Over time, you’ll begin to let go of old stories and ideas about how you “should” think or feel. In their place, you can grow compassion and understanding for yourself as you are.
I’m a relational therapist, which means I see our relationship as the heart of the healing process. I believe the deepest shifts happen when both therapist and client show up with authenticity and presence. My commitment is to be with you in moments of grief, confusion, and tenderness, and also in the moments of humor, connection, and playfulness that arise along the way. I’m looking forward to connecting with you and starting this process together!
License, Education & Training
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), License Number 61381
Master of Science in Social Work, University of Texas at Austin (2015)
Bachelor of Journalism, University of Texas at Austin (2008)
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology University of Texas at Austin (2008)
Hakomi Mindfulness-Center Somatic Psychotherapy, Hakomi Institute of the Southwest (320 hr training)
Somatic Experiencing Method (96 hr training, 4/8 modules completed)
EMDR Basic Training (40 hr training)
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Training, Elemental Psychedelics/Moonstone Counseling (32 hr, ongoing consultation)
Psilocybin-Assisted Psychological Support Model, Compass Pathways (90 hr, ongoing consultation)
4-OH-DiPT Session Monitor Training, Reunion Neuroscience (18 hr)
LSD Dosing Monitor Session Training, Numinous / Mind Med (10 hr)
Trainings and Presentations
Below of a collection of trainings that I have offered to various audiences within Austin and Travis County, including law enforcement, foster parents, counseling interns, and other therapists:
Introduction to Polyvagal Theory: Understanding your Child’s Nervous System
Polyvagal Theory I: The Science of Safety
Polyvagal Theory II: Safety is the Treatment
The Neurobiology of Trauma
Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness: The Benefits and Challenges of Using Mindfulness with Survivors of Trauma