I received my Master of Arts in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology from Naropa University in 2003. Since then I have specialized in the treatment of eating disorders. My experience began at the Eating Disorder Center of Denver, where I worked for four years and received extensive training in the etiology and treatment of eating disorders. It was here that I discovered my passion for this work, my deep respect for the people who struggle with this illness, and my conviction that full recovery is possible.
While at the EDC-D, I facilitated psycho-educational groups, skills groups, therapeutic meals, process groups, and multifamily groups. I also coordinated the Evening Intensive Outpatient program for almost a year, and then became a primary therapist in the partial hospitalization program for two years. During this time I received training and supervision from nationally recognized leaders in the field, Tamara Pryor, PhD, the clinical director at EDC-D, and Drs. Kenneth Weiner and Emmett Bishop, who now operate the Eating Recovery Center in Denver, Colorado.
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
- 2004 Milieu therapist at the EDC-D
- 2004-2005 Evening Intensive Outpatient Program Coordinator and Primary Therapist at the EDC-D
- 2005-2007 Primary Therapist at the EDC-D
- 2007-2010 Psychotherapist at La Luna Center, Boulder, CO., and maintaining a private practice.
- Currently in private practice.
PRESENTATIONS, ARTICLES, AND WORKSHOPS:
- 2005 Article in Health Within Reach Newsletter: The Benefits of Yoga in Treating Eating Disorders.
- 2005 Co-Presenter with Emmett R. Bishop, Jr., MD, CEDS, at the Feminist Perspectives on Eating Disorders, Renfrew Conference, titled: Recovery from Eating Disorders, What’s Temperament and Character Got to Do With It?
- 2006 Book Review of Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters: The Frightening New Normalcy of Hating Your Body by Courtney E. Martin
- 2008 and 2009 Body-Centered Approaches to Treating Eating Disorders, La Luna Center, Boulder, CO
- 2010 The Truth Within: Yoga for people recovering from food and body image issues. A yoga class offered at the Yoga Workshop in Boulder, CO.
During my time at EDC-D, I developed the yoga program there that continues to be part of the experiential component of treatment. The process of practicing yoga, of actively experiencing the inherent connection between our mind, body, and breath, has incredible benefits for the recovery process. Yoga can become a coping skill, a place to build self- awareness and mindfulness skills, and to begin to experience the body as a resourceful, safe place.
When you are ready to explore the recovery process, I believe that it is important to work with someone who has experience, training, and ongoing supervision and collaboration with experienced treating professionals. There are excellent resources in the Denver/Boulder area, and I am sure you will find what you need to support your journey.
