Education
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with credentials to practice in both Washington and Utah. I received my Bachelor’s (History) and Master’s (Marriage & Family Therapy) degrees at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. My graduate education included intensive and specific training with distressed couples, sexual issues, and anxiety-related mental disorders. I have also received training in the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) method out of the Solterreno Mindful Academy in Alicante, Spain, specialized OCD training through the IOCDF’s Training Institute and the leading Acceptance Commitment Therapy lab in the nation, and am certified in Accelerated Resolution Therapy, an effective and gentle technique used for treating trauma. I’m currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Utah State University.
Experience
My clinical experience spans many settings, including large group practices, a sex therapy clinic, and my own private practice. I am an approved supervisor in Washington State and Utah and provide training and supervision to associate and intern therapists. I have provided specialized training in OCD and related disorders at nationally-ranked graduate programs and in smaller clinical settings. I work mainly with clients who want help with anxiety, OCD, marital issues, sex-related issues, and challenges related to spirituality and religion.
I employ, train, and supervise other therapists across the country through a clinic that my husband and I founded and manage together: Azure Counseling.
Research & Writing
I am committed to providing my clients with quality care that is backed by solid research—I won't just throw my opinions at you. I have authored and coauthored several academic articles, including an award-winning study on sexuality. My research has been showcased in the Journal of Sex Research, IGI Global, PsyPost, Psychology Today, KUTV, and the Salt Lake Tribune. I have presented my findings at academic and educational conferences around the country. As a PhD student, my research has explored how religious couples experience power in their marriages.
I also wrote a book, Sex Educated: Letters from a Latter-day Saint Therapist to Her Younger Self, published by BCC Press with the goal to help women learn to love and celebrate their sexuality.
Speaking & Community
In addition to my work as a therapist and author, I stay active in promoting mental health, healthy sexuality, and happy marriages in my community. I have guest lectured in college courses at multiple universities, contributed to podcasts, led marriage workshops, and spoken at public events. I volunteered for two years as a mental health consultant for the Barcelona mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while my husband and I lived in Spain.
Visit my Podcast page to hear more of my thoughts on various topics
Professional Associations
I belong to the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT), the Association of Latter-day Saint Counselors and Psychotherapists (AMCAP), the Mormon Mental Health Association (MMHA) and Psychology Today.
On a more personal note…
From a young age I knew I wanted to have a career that let me work with people and help them heal. But, it wasn't until I experienced the power of therapy in my own life that I decided to become a therapist. I love my job. I love seeing people work toward their goals, have breakthroughs, and leave with healthier minds and stronger relationships.
Outside of work, I spend my time chasing my littles (a girl and two boys!) and laughing with my husband, Sam. I was raised in the Seattle area but have lived in Utah, California, Chile, Mexico, and Spain. I served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2010-2012 in Concepcion, Chile where I became fluent in Spanish. I met my husband shortly after while working in Mexico City in 2013 and we were married two years later. We recently returned to the USA after living two years in Barcelona and are currnetly living in Logan, UT, where I am finishing my PhD in Marriage & family Therapy at Utah State (Go Aggies!) I love to hike, eat ice cream, learn new skills, use Google Scholar to do research, and spend time with my large extended family.