about-dup

My love affair with words started in a Brooklyn apartment in the 1970s.

After hearing Chicken Little read to me so many times by my parents, I was able to hold the book and pretend to be reading as I recited the story from memory. So when my parents overheard me at two years old talking alone in my bedroom with a book in my hand, they assumed that's what I was doing. But as they got closer they saw I was holding Bing Bang Pig--a book they ever read to me before.

I wrote my first story when I was five, some pretty cliche poetry in high school, and majored in English Literature in undergrad. I figured I'd end up teaching English in high school or college, but I ended up becoming a social worker and later starting a private therapy practice. During the two decades of career, most of the writing I did was for work. My creativity was poured into my business and other professional pursuits. I could write one hell of an email, but I didn't think of myself as a writer.

In 2020, I closed my therapy practice and said goodbye to my social work career. I floated (and sometimes did a terrifying freefall) through liminal space. Mercifully, my creativity crawled back to me and became a life raft during this heartbreaking and disorienting period of my life. I wrote a lot and cried a lot. I posted a ton of poetry on Instagram. I got some pieces published and even started calling myself a poet without cringing every time. I created an Etsy shop for poetry merch (which is currently closed). I created a workbook for people navigating hard times and liminal spaces (which I have since retired).

While my writing practice is far from consistent and I frequently struggle with motivation, focus, and energy, I'm so grateful it returned to me (or I returned to it) and I promise to never let it go again.

Work history

In a previous lifetime...

I was social worker for almost two decades. I held many roles throughout my career, but the majority of that time was spent as: school counselor/social worker in high schools; Dean of Students at East West College of the Healing Arts - a massage therapy training program; and therapist in private practice.

I also have a decade of teaching experience:

Faculty at East West College of the Healing Arts, Therapeutic Relationships course
Developed & taught continuing education course for LMTs called "The Ethics of Client-Centered Presence"
Adjunct Professor, Advisor, & Field Placement Liaison at Portland State University's School of Social Work

education & training

Write Like Anyone, Brand Voice Academy, 2023
Certified Life Cycle Celebrant-Healing & Transitions, Celebrant Foundation & Institute, 2022
Freelance Copywriting Kickstarter Course, The Creative Copywriter Academy, 2022
Hakomi Method of Somatic Psychotherapy, Mindful Experiential Therapy Approaches, LLC
The Re-Creation of the Self (R-CS) Model of Human Systems, Mindful Experiential Therapy Approaches, LLC
Experiential Attachment Psychotherapy, Mindful Experiential Therapy Approaches, LLC
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Oregon State Licensing Board, 2007

Master of Social Work, Portland State University, 2003

Bachelor of Arts, English Literature, Rutgers University, 1998

speaking & storytelling

2023: Broke Gravy: storytelling event
2019: Presenter at Portland State University’s School of Social Work Behavioral Health Integration Project Orientation: “The Ethics of Client-Centered Presence”
2019: Presenter at the American Massage Therapy Association Oregon Chapter’s Annual Convention: “Client-Centered Presence”
2019: The Moth: storytelling event
2019: Broke Gravy: storytelling event
2018: Dear Diary: storytelling event
2018: Mortified Portland: storytelling event
2018: Presenter at Providence ElderPlace Personal Care Attendant Summit: “Participant-Centered Presence”
2017: Keynote speaker at East West College of the Healing Arts graduation ceremony
2011-2016: Emcee for biannual graduation ceremonies at East West College of the Healing Arts
2008: Presenter at Oregon Charter School Conference: "LEP High School’s Student-Led Conference Model"

where you can find my writing

Much of my writing can be found chaotically scattered throughout various journals, untitled Google Docs, and the notes app on my phone. But here's where you can find the rest:

Substack: unbranded.

Published Poems:

Miscellaneous:

Instagram

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