about

I wrote my first story when I was five, some cliche poetry in high school, and got my BA in English Literature. I assumed I'd end up teaching English in high school or college, but I became a social worker instead. I worked in community-based agencies and schools and later started a private therapy practice. During my twenty year career, my creativity was primarily poured into my work.

In the summer of 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 reemerged and became a life raft during this difficult and disorienting period of my life. I wrote a lot and cried a lot. I posted poetry on Instagram. I was published in a few places and started calling myself a poet without cringing every time. I opened an Etsy shop for poetry merch and created a workbook for people navigating hard times and liminal spaces.

While my writing practice is far from consistent and I frequently struggle with motivation, focus, and energy, 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:

a handful of poems

Substack: unbranded.

Published Poems:

Miscellaneous:

Instagram

Blog