About me

I’m a white, queer, trans, Southerner. I deeply value both my biological and my chosen families. I have a young child who has already been a great teacher to me in our short time together so far. I’m a devoted companion to my dog, Ted. I love hiking, gardening, cooking, and reading. I spend a lot of time thinking about politics, human nature, and generational healing. I’m committed to anti-racism work and to dismantling gender and sexual orientation as organizing structures for power in society.

Pronouns: they/them/theirs

Center image courtesy of Dare Kumolo-Johnson

Training

I have been in private practice for over 4 years. I hold a Master’s in Social Work with a concentration in direct practice from UNC Chapel Hill and hold a full social work license from the North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board.

I have training, education, and/or experience with Relational-Cultural Therapy, EMDR, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and therapeutic horticulture.

I also have a certificate in therapeutic horticulture from the North Carolina Botanical Garden.

Before becoming a therapist, I worked in public health and community engagement for a decade, addressing issues such as HIV/AIDS and domestic violence. I have experience volunteering as a domestic violence response worker and formerly worked full-time at the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence for almost 5 years. I graduated from Agnes Scott College in 2003, where I double-majored in Psychology and Modern German History and Culture.

Gratitude

I owe my ability to practice healing work to the people who have loved and supported me in my journey. While not an exhaustive list, I am especially grateful to the following people for their mentorship and friendship:

  • My parents and siblings, who are just pretty great people to have grown up with

  • My partner, whose generosity and caring bring so much goodness to my life

  • My chosen family members, who affirm me and remind me of the power of queer love

  • Sue Dooley, the first and most beloved social worker in my life, whose great love for people made an early impression on me

  • Pat Harper, who was larger than life and held me fiercely during a tough time

  • Lerita Coleman Brown, Kathy Kennedy, and Lynn Farmer, three thoughtful and beloved mentors

  • Suki Dooley, who was the best healer I’ve ever known

  • Dani Strauss, who walked with me as I took the leap to do this thing