About

My own story

My story holds much tragedy and brokenness as well as much healing and beauty. I survived a childhood filled with addiction, divorce, abuse, mental illness, chaos, and violence. Surrounded by “bad” decisions and ungodliness, I came into adulthood believing that if I did everything “right” and walked with God, things would begin to go well for me. God shattered that belief when at 26 years old, my first husband was diagnosed with cancer. That cancer took his life four years later and I became a widow and a single mom. During the next six years of singleness and deep grief, I somehow started to hope again. My circumstances did not change, but I began to believe that I could live a fuller life.

I began grad school at 35 years old to follow my dream of being a therapist. I remarried, had a second son, then eight years later divorced. I still contend everyday with life’s brokenness and tragedy. My kids aren’t perfect, marriage is challenging, and there never seems to be enough money, time, or sleep.

My journey through life has taught me something very important: life on this side of heaven does not work and it is not meant to. We are not doing it wrong, we cannot “fix” life or people, and we cannot figure it all out. I continually learn that I am not in control. “Full life” is not a destination–it is a messy process of trying, failing, and learning to live the life you were created for. If we can embrace the joy and pain of life, we become mature, wise, and can grow and change. We can be present in relationships. We can see breath-taking moments of beauty in the midst of tragedy.

This is why I do what I do. I want to share what I’ve learned and carry it to others.

Credentials

• Bachelors in Religion and Social Work from Belmont University
• Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Trevecca Nazarene University
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of Tennessee. License no. 812.

Work History

• Therapist, Fellowship Bible Church 2005-2009
• Therapist, Private practice in 2009-present