I grew up near the Iowa Great Lakes and resided there until 2019 when we moved to the Sioux Falls area. I graduated from the University of Iowa in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a concentration in human development. I then continued with the University of Iowa through their satellite campus in Sioux City, IA and graduated with my MSW in May 2020. The ability to work in the behavioral health field fulltime and pursue my MSW was a huge help as I gained experience that paralleled my education.
In January 2018 my husband and I became licensed foster parents and in July we welcomed our first placement who lived with us for the next 19 months. The experience of being a foster parent, student, and employee simultaneously has given me a unique view of the systems that those I work with experience daily. I employ that ecological systems view with all the clients I have had the privilege to work with as I believe it allows me to look at the whole of the person rather than just the parts of their life they are struggling with. In addition to this whole person view I utilize a cognitive-behavioral and attachment-focused approach.
I have worked with many children, adolescents, and families with a variety of difficulties ranging from anxiety and depression to developmental trauma and parenting skills. Previously, I managed a grant program that provided parent education for families at-risk for abuse and neglect. In my undergraduate work I have assisted in research in sport and performance psychology and exercise through the life span. I am excited to bring my experience in these areas to Tea and the Sioux Falls area!
(she/her)
