What 16-Year-Old Me Needed — And Why I Now Give It to Others

I've followed what feels like a fairly linear path toward mental health counseling — more specifically, relationship therapy.

I grew up in a family where conflict was common, emotional pain ran deep, and we often struggled to express our emotions and repair afterward. Because of that, I carried a great deal of pain, insecurity, and confusion when it came to navigating relationships.

Over time, those experiences evolved into a longing to understand my family of origin and the patterns that shaped us. I wanted to learn how to navigate conflict differently, become more emotionally aware and open, and communicate in ways that foster healthier, more secure relationships.

That desire became even more urgent when my parents told me they were getting a divorce. At 16, I was already navigating the typical challenges of adolescence, and the added family stress and looming transition led me to begin seeing a counselor.

Unlike many of the stories I hear from clients who have unfortunately endured a string of unhelpful — or even harmful — counseling experiences, my first experience was profoundly positive. I felt cared for, seen, and understood. My counselor helped me begin making sense of my family dynamics, my parents' divorce, and the emotions that came with it all.

Motivated by a longstanding curiosity about how people think, feel, and behave; my own family experiences; an engaging high school psychology course; and the deeply meaningful support I received during that time, I chose to pursue a degree in Psychology at Penn State University.

After college, I moved from Pennsylvania to Bozeman, where my brother was living. Like many people who find their way here, I quickly fell in love with the mountains — and my passion for skiing, mountain biking, hiking, and climbing only grew, ultimately leading me to stay. When I wasn't outside, I held a variety of roles that reflected both my background in psychology and my desire to support others. I worked as a research lab technician, nannied for several families, taught preschool, and served as a crisis counselor at the Bozeman Help Center.

It was at the Help Center that I solidified my desire to support people struggling with their mental health; processing traumatic experiences, navigating complex relationships, and at times, facing thoughts of ending their lives. The work was deeply meaningful and profoundly informative, but it was also an intense experience of sitting with people in the midst of real pain and turmoil. My time there showed me that I wanted to counsel people on a more ongoing basis to develop deeper therapeutic relationships, rather than supporting them only in moments of crisis.

That realization led me to Montana State University, where I earned my Master's degree in Marriage and Family Counseling.

Today, I work as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at Fresh Tracks Counseling, the practice I founded here in Bozeman, the city that has been home for over a decade. I specialize in Emotionally Focused Therapy, an approach that feels deeply personal to me because it speaks directly to the experiences that first drew me to this work, and the very human need to feel secure in the relationships that matter most. Over the past seven years, I've had the privilege of working with individuals, couples, and families navigating conflict, emotional pain, and the kind of disconnection I once knew myself. I'm also a Certified EFT Therapist, a credential that reflects not just training, but a genuine commitment to this work. The path that began in a counselor's office at 16 has come full circle. And I wouldn't have it any other way.