Licensed Independent Social Worker
Location: St. Paul, In Person and/or Tele-health
Pronouns: She/Her
Hello! As an outpatient mental health practitioner at Natalis, I provide therapy to youth and adults in the Roseville/St Paul Natalis clinics. I believe the therapeutic relationship must begin with authenticity, open-mindedness and meeting clients where they are at. I try and approach every therapy session from a place of curiosity first, utilizing a client-centered, collaborative approach that is evidence based while also showing up as my own authentic self. My theoretical approach is grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy, though I also like to employ other therapies such as dialectic behavioral, attachment focused, solution focused, somatic and family systems as well. One day a week I also bring in my certified therapy dog to provide animal assisted intervention to clients who are comfortable engaging with an animal.
I have experience working as a school based and outpatient therapist, support practitioner, school social worker and being involved in the local community. My work with clients has primarily been focused on supporting clients through challenges associated with adoption, foster care, anxiety, depression, gang/street involvement, low self-esteem, parenting, life transitions, developmental disorders, learning disabilities and trauma. I am truly passionate about reducing stigma and increasing community connections to resources. When I am not working with clients, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends and dogs, reading, cooking, taking photos and playing Bingo.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in justice administration and social welfare from Southwest Minnesota State University which I received in 2016. I received my master’s degree in social work, with an emphasis on clinical mental health and families from the University of Minnesota in 2021. I have previously held a school social work license and worked in special education within various school districts. In May 2025 I completed my PACC certificate (permanency and adoption competence certificate) and offer specialized services for youth who have been or are in the foster care system or adopted. I am part of a certified therapy dog team with a dog named Maxwell (8-year-old brown, three-legged lab) to provide animal assisted interventions.