I have been a psychotherapist for over twenty years, and for the past fifteen, my work has focused exclusively on supporting mothers.

My early career centered on child psychology. I provided play therapy for children who had experienced early-life trauma, and then conducted academic research on the mother–infant dyad at Oregon Health Sciences University. Later, I worked in community mental health settings, serving people with chronic and complex mental health challenges.

Through these experiences, I was struck by how limited the mental health resources were for mothers specifically. Too often, motherhood was viewed only through a pediatric lens, overlooking the nuanced emotional needs of the mother herself. That realization led me to seek specialized training in maternal mental health, consult with experts in the field, and eventually open a private practice devoted to the mental well-being of mothers. This has been my professional calling ever since.

Over the years, I have also organized and facilitated support groups for pregnant and postpartum women. These groups flourished, and I saw firsthand how essential community and connection are in both mental health and parenting.

My personal life has shaped my professional path just as much as my clinical work. Raising five children has been both humbling and transformative, teaching me the realities of growth, change, and resilience. I am also a widow, and I understand the challenges of parenting through grief while carrying the full weight of a family’s future.

As a therapist, my style is warm, welcoming, and curious. I won’t hand you worksheets to “fix” yourself, or suggest that the complexities of parenting can be reduced to simple hacks. Instead, I will listen closely, offer support, and share insights drawn from both evidence-based research and lived experience.

I believe deeply that you are the best person to raise your child. Sometimes, having an advocate for your mental health along the way makes all the difference.

Wherever you find yourself right now, I welcome you and your story.