Everyone has a story and at times in life, people need to share that story and have someone listen.  As a therapist, I am honored to be that person for my clients.

Here’s a little of my story I’d like to share with you!  I’m 62 years old and I love my life “most” of the time! I have not always appreciated my life as much as I do today.  I am much better today at living in the present and not getting caught up in what is coming next week or next month.  I am grateful for that – that I have found tools to help me stay present and enjoy my today!  As a therapist, it is a gift to share these tools with others so that they may feel more fulfilled in their lives too.

I am married…have been for 42 years!  My husband, Pat, and I met while I was  in High School.  We married young and have had a rich life (filled with life’s ups and downs).  We certainly are not the 20 year-olds that said “I do” so many years ago, but we are still one another’s best friend and biggest cheerleader in life.

I am the mother of three grown children -  each with children of their own!  My oldest, Dan, and my daughter-in-law, Stacy, have 5 children ranging in age from 20 years to 6 years.  Theirs is a big, busy, loving crew!  My son, Paul, who I always say has the "biggest heart", is the father of Thomas who takes after his Dad with his kind ways.  Abby, my youngest daughter, is married to Dan.  Dan & Abby are parents of 2 sons, Jax and Max (both under the age of 3)!  Jax and Max bring our family great joy and laughter.  They keep Dan and Abby quite busy!!  I am proud of all of my children, the lives they lead and the adults they have become.  I am the grandmother of eight!  My grandchildren are my light and my delight!  They make me laugh like there is no tomorrow.

My personal journey has been fun and filled with life-long learning.  I began college at the age of thirty.  I worked hard for my education and have always appreciated the work that I do.  I have a private counseling practice and since the pandemic have shifted from an in-office setting  to meeting with clients through Telehealth.  Overall, my clients and I enjoy the flexibility that virtual sessions allow.  We have found, for the most part, that Telehealth is as valuable as meeting in-office.  My focus, when I work with my clients, is to see possibilities for them.  I work from a strength-based perspective and my goal for each of my clients is health and happiness.  I honor where a client is at and tailor counseling as best I can to meet individual needs.  

New adventures and learning are always on my radar.  In 2018 I completed an intensive 3-week, 200-hour yoga teacher certification in Chicago.  My days were intense.  I saturated myself in learning yoga philosophy, meditation, anatomy and asana practice.   What a wealth of learning and fun that experience turned out to be for me!  On most days, I incorporate some form of yoga, meditation, breathwork and/or  movement into my day.  Currently - today - since COVID 19, my husband and I have taken the opportunity to move to our lake house near St. Genevieve, MO.  Honestly, it's been a major cultural change moving from downtown STL to the country.  Each day brings with it learning (not without growing pains).  I am working on gratitude for my health, the health of my family and the  blessings that I am graced with daily.  Eventually, I think we will surface in the city of STL once again, but until that time I am stretching and growing and happy.    

Breath is my #1 tool for staying healthy - I use it in my life and share it with every client.  Breath has the power to improve blood circulation, lower blood pressure, bust anxiety, increase peace and overall happiness in life.  Almost a decade ago I completed training as a Breathwork Coach. This has been significant in my work as a therapist (since every service modality that I offer involves breath), but most important is my personal practice using conscious breath.  A consistent breathing practice allows me to slow down, clear clutter that I have stored in my body and be more present for the people I care about.  It is with gratitude that I share this life-enhancing tool with others.