I am a board-certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner with over twenty-eight years of experience in the field. I have worked or studied in a diverse number of psychiatric settings including urban, rural, inpatient, outpatient, and forensic, as well as with clients struggling with developmental disabilities and substance use disorders.

The prospect of experiencing a change in our mental health can be frightening, especially when there is a sense of losing control and our world is crashing around us. We all have the potential to be confronted by anxiety, depression, or other changes in our mental health that may require finding support, guidance, and direction from a provider that returns us to a sense of equilibrium. I believe psychiatric providers should treat each individual with dignity, respect, and kindness and reinforce the importance of self-worth. I believe connection with others is important and view psychiatric treatment as an opportunity for self-growth. My goal in addressing my client’s mental health is to foster a sense of improvement in one’s level of functioning and quality of life.

In my free time, I enjoy the outdoors by hiking in the gorge, roaming the beaches of the Oregon coast, or taking a leisurely walk through Portland’s Japanese Garden. I also deeply enjoy attending various theatrical/musical events in Portland.