Before becoming a counselor, I spent nearly two decades training wild animals for film and television. This work gave me an unconventional understanding of foundational behavior and communication. I’ve always been fascinated by the “why” behind what we do as social creatures, and that curiosity led me back to school to study human behavior.

In 2024, I began working with my supervisor, Dr. Andy Young, who specializes in the intersection of mental health and hostage and crisis negotiation. I quickly discovered that many of the principles I had relied on throughout my previous career directly correlated with working with people in crisis. I became a certified negotiator and now, in addition to counseling, work with multiple law enforcement agencies and private organizations to consult, train, and bring a more nuanced behavioral and mental health perspective to their negotiation teams.

My experiences have shaped the way I counsel. My goal is to help people understand what drives them, develop practical strategies that fit the life they actually have, and build the tools to operate more effectively when life gets difficult.

I’m not here to take you out of the fight. I’m here to help you become better equipped for it.