20 years ago, I found myself living a life I did not recognize. I had strayed so far from my integrity and values, I feared I had dug a hole so deep that I could not escape. It was perhaps the darkest moment of my life. It was then that I discovered the gift of recovery, and I have been on that journey of healing and cultivating a life that feels safe, authentic, and meaningful.

In 2015, I began working in the treatment industry via a residential program for women with substance abuse and traumatic stress. I remember early on when I was sitting with a patient and seeing so much of myself in her story. It was a lightbulb moment. I realized I had a unique opportunity to be of service to her, as I had traveled down similar roads in my life. I not only recognized the familiar pain and shame of unhealed trauma and addiction, but also the hope and connectedness that comes with breaking self-destructive patterns and living a life that is true to who I really am. 

Since that time, I have gone back to school to obtain a Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and subsequently my LPC-MHSP. That stands for “License in Professional Counseling” with a “Mental Health Service Provider” designation for those who are wondering “Why all the letters?!” I LOVE holding up the mirror to my clients for them to see the beauty, light, and resilience that lies within all of them. I firmly believe in modeling authenticity and encouraging others to fully embrace themselves as "whole-ass humans". Sitting with fellow travelers in their darkest moments is one of the greatest honors of my life. I equally hold dear the moments I get to laugh with my clients when I have an awkward moment of humanity myself. 

As for who I am outside of being a therapist, I am a Nashville native, which is otherwise known as a Unicorn these days. I can be found spending my free time with my husband, 16 year old son, and our small menagerie of critters: Diggs and Thielen (our sister cats), and Bovis Bannopleskotz, our aptly named dog. I enjoy a good meal, scary movies, holding a warm cup of coffee / tea in my hands, and being super goofy with my tribe. My self care routine includes car dance parties, singing ridiculous made up songs to our pets, well-placed f*bombs, yoga, time outside, and trashy reality television.  I am an ESFJ, apparently the Jar Jar Binks / Mama Weasley personality type, and an Enneagram 7. All this goes to say, my personality is energetic, dynamic, and I am definitely not the type of therapist that stays quiet and nods in session. 

Bovis Bannopleskotz

Diggs and Thielen