My Story

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin, where I met and married my college sweetheart. We made our home in Austin, building a life rooted in love, faith, and family. After a three-year battle with Lupus, I became a mother to three “miracle babies.” Later, I went on to earn my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Abilene Christian University—a decision deeply shaped by the life experiences that ignited my passion for walking alongside others in their healing process.

Just before our 20th wedding anniversary, my husband passed away suddenly from a heart attack while competing in the Escape From Alcatraz triathlon. In the aftermath, my children and I became a team of four. We leaned heavily on our faith, our community, and one another as we began the difficult work of rediscovering joy after loss. That season taught me an essential truth I hold tightly to: grief and loss are powerful forces, and pain needs a witness.

Through the challenges of being a widow and single mother, I developed a strong belief that when life doesn’t go according to “our” plan, we are being invited into a space of growth, courage, and transformation.

That belief was tested again when my middle child died from fentanyl poisoning after taking a counterfeit pill. The loss was utterly devastating and life-shattering. But once again, my children and I chose to fight—not just to survive, but to keep searching for even the smallest signs of light: “pinholes of hope and joy.”

With the support of our faith, friends, and community, we began to heal. I often share with others what I’ve come to believe deeply: while pain in life is inevitable, suffering is a choice, and healing begins when we allow others to walk beside us.

Hope and joy have continued to show up in unexpected and beautiful ways. I’m now happily remarried, my oldest son is also married and thriving, and my youngest continues to grow into her own beautiful story. Inspired by my journey, I returned to school to become a therapist—trusting that the experiences God has handed me, both the extraordinary highs and the heartbreaking lows, could be used to help others find healing.

My approach to therapy is grounded in authenticity and faith. I believe we always have a choice: we can fight to heal, grow, and find hope and joy—or fight to stay stuck in our pain. The effort is the same. One of my favorite reminders of this comes from C.S. Lewis: “God wants to crack open your heart and reveal the deep secrets that hold you back from being all that He created you to be.”

It would be an honor to walk alongside you as you learn to live courageously and rediscover the hope and joy needed to overcome whatever challenges you’re facing.