About Me
Licensed Psychologist
I have been a licensed psychologist since 2015 and primarily treat individuals with anxiety using cognitive-behavioral interventions. I spent the first several years of my career in Iowa and now practice in Iowa, Arkansas, and throughout the US.
Personal Life
I live with my husband, son, and two dogs, Bailey and Ava. I enjoy traveling with my family, watching musicals, taking care of my home, and exploring new places. My favorite things are dogs, ice cream, and waterslides.
Licensed Psychologist
I have been a licensed psychologist since 2015 and primarily on treating individuals with anxiety using cognitive-behavioral interventions. I spent the first several years of my career in Iowa and now practice in Iowa, Arkansas, and throughout the US.
Personal Life
I live with my husband, son, and two dogs, Bailey and Ava. I enjoy traveling with my family, watching musicals, taking care of my home, and exploring new places. My favorite things are dogs, ice cream, and waterslides.
My Journey
1.
Duke
Before becoming a psychologist, I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, with an emphasis on neuroscience, from Duke University in 2009, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude, with Honors (all that just means I did pretty well at school and did some research while I was there, too).
2.
Nebraska
Then I took a risk and moved to ….NEBRASKA. I legit couldn’t have picked it out on a map and didn’t know people actually lived there. But they do, and turns out they have a really good training psychology training program. So I packed up my Honda Civic with everything I could fit in there plus my brand new puppy and drove out to Nebraska.
3.
Graduate School
I spent the next 4 years in the amazing state of Nebraska, where I earned my Master’s degree and then my PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, receiving a faculty commendation for excellent performance. While I was there, I rescued a stray dog and welcomed her into my family and met the guy I eventually married.
4.
How I
Changed My Life
While I was in Nebraska, I figured out perfectionism was ruining my life. While I was super successful, I was incredibly unhappy and was working all.the.time. So I started using that education I was receiving and figured out how to change it all up so I could live a meaningful, fulfilling life. If I can do it, you can, too, and I can absolutely show you how.
5.
Research
My doctoral program is called a “scientist-practitioner model,” which means I was trained both to be a great mental health clinician and to be a psychological researcher. Understanding research is very important to my clinical practice, and I make an effort to stay up to date on the research that is coming out of universities and research centers so I can continue to offer my clients the best treatments possible.
6.
Extra Training
After I left Nebraska, I completed my predoctoral internship (that’s the psychology equivalent to a med school residency) at VA Central Iowa Healthcare System and my postdoctoral fellowship at Polk County Juvenile Court Services. I don’t have a picture to represent this phase of my life, so here’s a picture of my dog.
Want to Know More?
Here are 15 fun facts about me:
1.
I cannot: Walk past a tray of cookies without eating one. Or a handful….
2.
My 3 main fuel sources: Taco meat (tacos, taco casserole, taco salad…), Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies, & cake
3.
The famous people I’d love to be friends with: Reese Witherspoon, Will Smith, & Kristen Bell
4.
My uniform if I could only wear one thing for the rest of my life: A sweatshirt & leggings. Comfy & warm is my love language.
5.
Popular things I couldn’t care less about: Wine, Netflix, Sports
6.
Favorite travel memory: Eating cannoli for supper and gelato for dessert in Venice with my mother in 2019!
7.
Whenever I travel I always: Try to look as much like a tourist as possible…sneakers, selfie stick, binoculars, the whole deal. Embrace it!
8.
Best inventions ever: Athleisure, heated steering wheels (they’ll change your life), heated snuggies, DVR, hamburger choppers, microwaves, Google Maps, dogs as pets
9.
My favorite things to do on a Sunday: Go on a little adventure with my husband and son, get lunch out, walk my dogs, and prep for the week ahead (I’m a huge planner)
10.
I would go into mourning if: Grocery pickup went out of style
11.
I’m never not in the mood for: Ice cream (for real…why do ice cream stores not open until the afternoon?)
12.
Best life hack: Use your crockpot to cook meat in bulk in advance. Then freeze pre-cooked meat in 1-cup or 1-pound containers and dump into your recipes. SAVES SO MUCH TIME.
13.
Last thing I read: A Manual for Being Human, by my friend Sophie Mort. You know how they always say “there’s no manual for being human”? I mean she literally wrote the manual.
14.
Favorite Disney Movie: Lion King
15.
Songs that lift my spirits: “The Way You Make Me Feel” by Michael Jackson, “Can’t Stop The Feeling” by Justin Timberlake, “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift, & “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars
Want to know what it's like to have freedom from anxiety?
If you live in Des Moines, Little Rock, or anywhere in the US and want to schedule a session to see if we’re a good fit for each other, send me an email and tell me what you’re looking for!
