I'm passionate about empowering individuals who have felt unseen, misunderstood, marginalized, and voiceless, and I love working with and empowering women in all stages of life. As a woman who has felt disempowered from past trauma and shame, I'm passionate about working with women to achieve greater self-worth and confidence and embrace their authentic self. I find joy in helping people heal from past trauma, transform limiting beliefs of shame into the truth of who they are, find meaning and purpose, and courageously tell their story. I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Colorado and a Nationally Board Certified (NCC) counselor. I'm a former Kindergarten-12th grade art teacher and Art Director of a therapeutic art program for trafficked children and adolescents in Ghana, West Africa. My unique experiences overseas and in the states working with children, adolescents, and adults who have experienced trauma have shaped my passion for helping people find the courage to heal, be empowered to rise above life's obstacles, and live a transformed life. I'm a trauma-informed, attachment-based, client-centered counselor who acknowledges your capacity to choose the direction, pace, and goals of therapy and recognizes the importance of developing strong, secure relationships. I consider it an honor and privilege to journey alongside you and believe in a strengths-based model that empowers you to develop your own strengths and passions. My non-judgmental and affirming approach is based upon a genuine, empathetic, therapeutic relationship that provides a safe and accepting space for you to experience unconditional positive regard. I support you in living a transformed, empowered life and in finding the courage to be your authentic self. I'm drawn to and have experience working with individual adults, women, and the LGBTQIA+ population who struggle with trauma, PTSD, abuse, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, shame, identity, self-esteem, relationship issues, chronic illness/pain, women's issues, life transitions, stress and emotion regulation, LGBTQIA+ related issues, and religious/spirituality issues. As an artist and counselor, Expressive Arts Therapy is one of my specializations to facilitate personal growth and healing from trauma, pain, loss, and hurt. My passion for Expressive Arts Therapy developed as I experienced firsthand the transformative power of creativity and art in my personal journey of healing through trauma. While working in inpatient and residential treatment facilities, a domestic violence shelter, and an orphanage and care center for trafficked children and adolescents in Africa, I also facilitated Expressive Arts groups. These experiences have fostered my love and appreciation for diversity, sensitivity towards multicultural issues, and passion for Expressive Arts Therapy in healing from trauma.