Training and Credentials
Specialized training grounded in attachment, emotion, and relationships
Becoming a therapist requires formal education, licensure, and supervised clinical experience. Becoming a skilled therapist also requires continued study, consultation, self reflection, and a commitment to ongoing professional growth.
My primary clinical specialization is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), an attachment based and experiential approach for individuals, couples, and families. I am certified by the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) in both Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) and Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT).
I continue to pursue advanced training and professional consultation so that my work remains thoughtful, ethical, and responsive to the people I serve.
Licensure and Certification
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
State of Missouri
Licensure as a Clinical Social Worker requires graduate education, supervised clinical experience, and successful completion of the national clinical licensing examination.
Certified Emotionally Focused Individual Therapist
Certified Emotionally Focused Individual Therapist
International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy
Certification in Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy reflects advanced training, supervision, and demonstrated competence in attachment based and experiential therapy with individuals.
EFIT helps people understand the emotional and relational patterns shaping their lives, access the deeper emotions beneath protective responses, and develop a more secure relationship with themselves and others.
Certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist
Certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist
International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy
Certification in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy reflects advanced training, supervised clinical practice, and demonstrated competence in the Emotionally Focused Therapy model for couples.
EFCT helps couples recognize the negative cycles that keep them disconnected, understand the attachment emotions beneath their reactions, and create new experiences of safety, responsiveness, and connection.
Education
Master of Social Work
University of Missouri
Clinical Social Work
My graduate education included training in human development, attachment, clinical assessment, diagnosis, ethics, social justice, and psychotherapy with individuals, couples, and families. My experience with BJC Hospice also deepened my understanding of grief, caregiving, anticipatory loss, and the importance of compassionate presence during some of life’s most vulnerable transitions.
The University of Missouri College of Health Sciences featured the story of my transition from finance into social work and psychotherapy.
Bachelor of Science in Finance
Marquette University
Before becoming a psychotherapist, I spent many years working in finance, accounting, consulting, and investment banking. This background continues to shape my understanding of responsibility, ambition, high achievement, professional identity, burnout, transition, and the courage required to build a life that feels more aligned. It also gives me a particular appreciation for clients who appear highly capable on the outside while carrying uncertainty, loneliness, exhaustion, or self doubt beneath the surface.
Advanced Clinical Training
Emotionally Focused Therapy
My postgraduate clinical training has focused extensively on Emotionally Focused Therapy for individuals, couples, and families.
My Emotionally Focused Therapy education and professional development includes:
- Couples
- Externship
- Core Skills
- Advanced supervised clinical work
- Certification
- Individual
- Essentials
- Consultation
- Individual Trauma
- Advanced supervised clinical work
- Certification
- Family
- Essentials
- Consultation
- Ongoing participation in EFT workshops, consultation, supervision, and professional development
Emotionally Focused Therapy is not simply one technique I draw from occasionally. It is the primary framework that shapes how I understand emotion, attachment, protection, disconnection, and healing.
Couples Therapy Training
In addition to my specialization and certification in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, I have completed Level One and Level Two training in The Gottman Method. This additional training supports my understanding of relationship assessment, friendship, conflict patterns, communication, and the practical structures that can help couples maintain connection.
My primary approach to couples therapy remains EFCT.
Trauma Informed and Clinical Training
My continuing education also includes training in areas such as:
- Trauma informed care
- Clinical assessment and diagnosis
- Suicide assessment and prevention
- Ethics and professional boundaries
- Telehealth practice
- Grief and loss
- Attachment injuries and relationship repair
- Anxiety and emotional regulation
- Shame, perfectionism, and self criticism
- Therapy with individuals, couples, and families
I select continuing education based on the needs of my clients and the areas in which deeper knowledge can strengthen the quality of care I provide.
Professional Leadership and Affiliations
St. Louis Emotionally Focused Therapy Community
STL EFT Community Board Member
President Elect
I serve in a leadership role with the St. Louis Emotionally Focused Therapy Community, where I support professional education, community building, event promotion, and access to high quality EFT training. I began board service in June 2024 as the Marketing and Communications Chair and in June 2026 have transitioned into the President Elect position. My involvement allows me to remain connected to a local and international community of therapists committed to attachment based and emotionally focused care.
International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy
Member
- Certified Emotionally Focused Individual Therapist
- Certified Emotionally Focused Couples Therapist
ICEEFT is the international organization responsible for research, training, certification, and professional development in Emotionally Focused Therapy.
EFT Training and Community Support
My professional involvement has also included supporting EFT trainings, assisting with educational events, participating in clinician consultation, and helping create opportunities for therapists to deepen their understanding of Emotionally Focused Therapy.
I value being part of a professional community in which therapists continue learning from one another rather than practicing in isolation.
Ongoing Consultation and Professional Development
Clinical growth does not end with licensure or certification
I remain engaged in ongoing consultation, continuing education, professional community, and review of current research.
This allows me to reflect carefully on my work, seek support when clinical situations are complex, and continue developing as a therapist.
Consultation is also an important part of ethical clinical practice. When I consult with another professional, client confidentiality is protected and identifying information is not shared unless specific permission has been provided.
Thoughtful training matters
Credentials cannot tell you everything about what it will feel like to work with a therapist.
They can, however, show that your therapist has invested in developing the knowledge, clinical skill, ethical grounding, and self awareness required to hold emotionally meaningful work with care.
Learn more about how I work
My approach is attachment based, experiential, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that your emotional and relational patterns make sense.
Considering therapy?
I offer online Emotionally Focused Therapy for individuals and couples who are physically located in Missouri.