- Meet Our Team -
Counselor
Why I’m here:
“Giving time and attention for the ones that gave time and attention to me.”
About Me:
I have been in recovery for 15 years. I have had people who have lost in their struggles with either mental health or substance use. I have a passion for this work that is a drive within me that cannot always be described.
I completed my education and hold a Bachelor’s in Psychology. I have been a Certified Addictions Specialist since 2022. I will begin my Master’s in Counseling in March.
Why I Do This Work:
This work keeps me sober. The people that I work with are exactly why I do what I do. I find each individual unique in their own right. To see them make strides in both mental health and recovery are blessings and instills hope each day.
What I Bring Professionally:
What I bring professionally is compassion and a listening ear. I will not judge and that is the most important message that I’ve heard from those that I work with. We all have struggled with something in this life. It is my honor to work and support those who are willing to give me the gift of their stories.
How I Show Up at Ava:
My commitment is shaped by my Montana roots and my years as a substance use therapist. Both taught me that people are incredibly resilient—and that showing up with compassion, honesty, and a steady sense of humor can make hard things feel a little lighter.
How I contribute to culture, collaboration, and care:
I try to create spaces where people feel genuinely heard and supported. I listen deeply, communicate clearly, and bring a calm presence… even on the days when coffee is doing most of the heavy lifting. For me, collaboration means meeting people where they’re at and finding a path forward together. And care isn’t an addon—it’s how I’m wired.
The Emotional Core:
At the core of my commitment is a deep belief that people do their best when they feel supported, seen, and equipped to succeed. My own lived experience—raising a family, navigating different stages of life, and balancing the real-world messiness that comes with it—has taught me how much it matters when someone shows up with empathy and clarity.
I’m driven by a few core values: integrity, connection, and impact. Integrity means I show up consistently, even when the work is hard. Connection reminds me that relationships are what move real change forward. And impact keeps me focused on why the work matters—because what we do should ultimately make someone’s day, job, or life easier.
My family and life outside of work also anchor this commitment. With two dogs, a husband, adult kids, and four grandkids, I’ve learned patience, adaptability, humor, and the importance of lifting people up. Those lessons translate directly into how I show up professionally.
At the end of the day, I’m committed because I believe the work matters—and because helping people thrive never stops being meaningful.
What Grounds Me:
Honestly, my family and pets are the best grounding tools money can’t buy. My husband, my adult kids, and my four grandkids keep life wonderfully chaotic—and my two dogs make sure any remaining sense of order is purely optional. It’s impossible not to stay humble when someone is always spilling something, barking at something, or asking for snacks.
When I need actual “centered” time, I escape outside. A quick walk or a fresh trail helps me reset and remember that nature doesn’t care about my to-do list (which is refreshing, really).
And then there are the daily rituals that keep me sane: good coffee, a favorite podcast, and a few quiet minutes before the household wakes up and realizes I’m available for questions. Those tiny pockets of calm are my secret superpower.
