about me
I have forged ahead in the areas of being an expert listener, observer, and change architect. With these skills, I have created a career doing just this for over 2 decades and continue to value this strength. My strength with the love of learning has excelled me into the field of therapy and beyond. Beginning with my undergraduate degree in Art Education from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. That led to my travels of the southwest to Santa Fe, NM, graduating from Southwestern College with my MA in Art Therapy. Coming back to the mid-west, I have rooted into Southeastern Wisconsin, just outside Milwaukee.
That love of learning has always filled my cup in so many beautiful ways. Leveraging the skills I have as a therapist, I have expanded into the field of Health & Wellness Coaching after my passion with the effects of stress on the body. I chose my formal education with Functional Medicine, becoming a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach. I love Functional Medicine as it looks for the root cause of dis-ease rather than treating the symptoms. I love looking at modifiable lifestyle choices, how making small bites adds to significant changes in how we feel and move in our bodies. We don’t need to be tied to the big pharma train.
I have learned through my love of learning over the years, the body and mind simply cannot be separate, they are intimately integrated. I approach both therapy and coaching from this perspective, what happens to the emotional, mental state impacts the physical.
Beyond my love of learning is the strength of appreciation of beauty and creativity. Art has been fundamental in my life for as long as I can remember and it continues to have an honoring place in my heart. I personally continue to create art, look at art, purchase art, and find places in my spaces for art. I no longer use art therapy in the formal sense, but will always be used as a tool when others also have the strength of creativity.
My strength of curiosity fills my cup with adventures I take with family and friends. Curiosity, love of learning, appreciation of beauty all come to play when my husband and I experience beautiful meals prepared by creative chefs, using quality ingredients. Creativity is dominant while I prepare for meals with my family. It is also a great sense of connection and love when we prepare together. Appreciation of beauty in my home, in my yard, in my garden. Playfulness with my dogs, my friends, embracing all that is weird and quirky. My honest and authentic laughs with my step daughters are priceless. My family and friends are great supports with new endeavors and in the ordinary daily life, helping me sink into my strength of spirituality. All of these beautiful parts of my life allow me to take care of me so I can support you. Self care is not being a diva.