About Me

Background

I was born and raised in the beautiful high desert of Northern New Mexico.  I was raised by a single mother and was the oldest of two daughters.  My mother suffered from debilitating depression her entire life and this led me to care deeply about mental health awareness and stigma.  In 2003 I started my career in the field of mental health when I began volunteering at the crisis center on my college campus, working as a crisis support volunteer in suicide prevention and intervention.   I later found my way to social work and eventually to therapy and consulting.  I have been in the field of mental health for nearly 20 years and have experience in child welfare, hospice, medical social work, and integrated care. 

 

Why Social Work and Therapy?

My drive to become a social worker was born out of an attraction that I have always had to human resiliency.  From a young age, I sensed that humans had an incredible ability to be able to overcome adversity and heal from the darkest of days.  My passion is working with individuals, families, communities, organizations, and agencies to heal and help build connections for healing and wellness.  I am deeply committed to mentoring, educating, and supervising future social workers. I feel honored to be a part of the process of healing individuals and communities. My approach is laid back and down to earth.  I am warm, nurturing, and empathetic. I always begin my work with an assessment of where the client currently is at, specifically paying attention to what's going well, as strengths are an essential foundation on which positive change can be built.

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What is Therapeutic Bridges?

Therapeutic Bridges is a small consulting business founded in 2020.  The business was initially a therapy practice; however, in 2023 I pivoted my services to focus solely on consulting.  The goals of Therapeutic Bridges are to:

• support leaders in building healthier workplaces

• build bridges to better wellness so that people can live more fulfilling lives and achieve essential work-life balance

• educate leaders regarding trauma & resilience and the importance of mental wellbeing while providing realistic solutions to current workplace challenges

 

Why are you interested in working with the entertainment industry?
I moved to Los Angeles in 2013.  I have been adjacent to the industry for nearly a decade and through partners, friends, and clients I have witnessed the ways in which the industry has failed to respond appropriately to mental health needs. I have heard stories of burnout, psychosis, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, depression, and debilitating performance anxiety. I have heard stories of discrimination, racism, long work hours, financial uncertainty, botched auditions, and unreasonable expectations.  I desire to use my skill set as a therapist and social worker to have an impact on an industry that desperately needs mental health support and advocacy, now more than ever.  In 2022 my partner and I decided to form a non-profit to meet the needs we saw in the entertainment industry specifically.  You can learn more by clicking here.

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What other industries do you work with?

One of the things that I love about my work is that it is transferable to pretty much any and all industries.  I understand however that now all industries are the same and require a tailored approach.  In the initial session of our work together I will learn more about your industry and the unique needs in your sector.