About me

Addiction and recovery

I entered recovery in 2013 following a hospital visit and treatment episode. Prior to entering recovery, I had an almost constant feeling of dread and hopelessness and truly believed that I would never get out of the cycle of addiction and mental health struggles. I heard a message of recovery in treatment and threw myself into the recovery community in my hometown. My first few years of recovery were immensely challenging, despite the vast external improvements that occurred in my life as time went on. The recovery process demands a level of personal responsibility, self-awareness, and life skills that many people have not learned as a result of their past challenges. I had to learn these lessons while also navigating the inherent challenges of early recovery.

Today, I have a life that I would not have considered possible. It has been a long, joyful, and at times arduous, journey of healing and growth, and it certainly has not been easy. It is my hope that my experience can be uniquely beneficial to others in similar situations.

Recovery has provided me with relationships, tools, meaning, and purpose, and I consider my recovery to be an immense gift. I have learned that it is possible for anyone willing to do the work to achieve it and that we never do it alone.

I currently live in Carbondale, Colorado, a place that I am glad to call home. In my free time, I enjoy creating art, exercising, reading, and traveling. I also try to dedicate as much time as I can to my own program of recovery, as I believe that my competence as an addiction professional is directly tied to my own emotional, physical, and spiritual health.

Professional Experience

I began working in the field when I was a year sober as a technician for a community mental health detox center. I quickly fell in love with the work and found that I could use my experience to help others in a professional capacity. I pursued my credential in addiction counseling while working there, and went on to work in several different phases of the treatment continuum. My experience working in several different treatment settings has helped me to learn how the entire process works and has enabled me to develop competency in a variety of different skills. 

I help families and individuals to work towards solving complex problems in a way that is supportive, strategic, and beneficial. My knowledge base includes an understanding of addiction, mental health disorders, recovery engagement, and many other areas.

  • Bachelors of Arts, Psychology, University of Colorado Denver, With Distinction, Magna Cum Laude, member of Psi Chi International Honors Society of Psychology

  • Undergraduate Certification in Mediation, University of Colorado, Denver.

  • Credentialed as a Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) through the department of regulatory agencies. 
You can look up my credential on the DORA website here:

    ~[https://apps.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx](https://apps.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx)~

    my credential number is: ACC.0998228.

  • Certified ARISE Interventionist (CAI) trained in substance use intervention and family support services.

  • Certified Professional Coach (CPC) trained in life coaching through the IAPRC.