Welcome to Parallel Paths Therapy!

Alongside of earning a Master’s Degree in Counseling, I pursued a three-year trauma-focused program in Somatic Experiencing, developed from the work of Dr. Peter Levine and Dr. Steven Porges.  During my master’s level counseling program at Cornerstone University, I took electives focused on child, family, and attachment treatment. In the recent past, I’ve worked with kids and families ranging from 4-18 as well as some individual therapy.

As an avid learner, I’m going on to learn more in play therapy. From books and practice to official trainings, I am not satisfied to stop with what I know now. I will be researching and pursuing additional training in the “cutting edge” approaches for adoption, kids with attachment struggles, as well as the basics in Sand-tray and free-play therapy.

Jesus and I have been friends for a long time, and if you are wanting/open to it, I’ll work with you from the lens of the larger narrative of the Christian Scriptures. Alongside of that, Jesus was friends with people from all walks of life, and I’m aware and welcome that parents and people come in many “shapes and sizes.”  

My passion for attachment and family care was birthed in my childhood home: Ecuador, South America. There, not only did I daily see children on the streets, but was also blessed with opportunities to volunteer and visit local children’s homes.

During my young teens, we took a child into our home for a period of time and I learned the difference between “friends” who are family, and others becoming family (for a time). While deciding on a path to enter the “orphan care” field, I realized that transition into family and bonding can be painful both for the adopting parents and siblings, and for the adoptee.

Carrying two heritages and cultures in the home characterized my childhood, both as a Third Culture Kid, and as the child of an adoptee, my life took a (good) summersault when my father began to connect with his birth family in my college years (I also studied Creative Writing & Bible at Cornerstone University). 

In my free-time, Eleri, my four-legged friend, and I love to go on long morning walks. Later in the day, I try to put pen to paper and write up other worlds through stories, poems, and imagination. My adventurous spirit draws me to the outdoors, and I love camping and wandering through the woods or along the beaches of Lake Michigan. And like any millennial, I spend way too much time binge-watching my favorite streaming TV shows.

If you are ready to further explore ways to improve your life and relationships, I would be honored to walk that path with you.

Call or email today if you want to chat more or make an appointment.