The willingness to show up changes us. It makes us a little braver each time.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since and Licensed Addiction Counselor, I live in Durango, CO. I work with adults of all generations and older teens. I've been a provider at a rural community mental health center (CMHC) for 13 years in different roles, including addiction counselor, clinical supervisor and behavioral health manager for SW CO. I received my Master in Social Work in 2016 from the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work Four Corners Program As a Clinical Supervisor I oversaw case managers, peer specialists, and counselors. I am a certified to train Matrix Relapse Prevention and this is my primary treatment modality as a therapist. As a  Behavioral Health Manager I strived to develop and foster effective, compassionate mental health and substance use treatment programs for both the CMHC and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) for all of SW Colorado. 

I have provided volunteer training to a 24-hour domestic violence call center in the general knowledge of substance use disorders and treatment options .

As an adjunct to my work at the center, I was a panel member of the 6th Judicial District Adult Drug Court (now Wellness Court) from 2013-2019; providing general treatment insight, client advocacy when appropriate, and championed the inclusion of Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Drug Court Participants. 

I am originally from the Buffalo, NY area and have lived in Durango, CO since 1991. I spent summers as a YMCA camp counselor, and eventually a horseback riding director, in the Berkshires of Connecticut. My love of the mountains and horses led me to Colorado where I was an equine therapist-in-training until a back injury sidelined me for many years. After different forays into other careers (animal airfreight, waitressing, waterjet engineering production management & engineering support) I found my way back to counseling services through management of an amino acid IV drip addiction clinic (now closed). I wanted to be more connected with clients than serving at the front desk and started attending addiction counseling classes. Eventually, I went on to receive my MSW. 

My partner and I now live outside of Durango city limits, and are rather busy with our 5 parrots and flock of chickens.  I enjoy spending time walking in the woods near my home, gardening, spending time with family and friends, learning to paddle board, traveling to other countries, spending time alone, knitting, making culinary delights, and watching movies. 

"Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions." - HH the 14th Dalai Lama