Becoming a therapist didn’t feel like something I chose as much as something I gradually recognized over time. Looking back, there were many moments that quietly pointed me toward this work long before I had the language for therapy or counseling. My journey into mental health—and into Christian counseling—has been shaped by curiosity, deep relationships, faith, and a growing understanding of how attachment and the brain influence who we become.

When I First Knew This Was My Calling

I first knew I wanted to go into the mental health field during my AP Psychology course in high school. That class sparked something in me that went beyond academic interest. I wasn’t just fascinated by theories or diagnoses—I was deeply curious about people. I wanted to understand how individuals become who they are and why they do what they do.

Even then, I noticed patterns in myself. I gravitated toward a few close, meaningful friendships rather than large social circles. I was drawn to depth, emotional nuance, and conversations that went beneath the surface. I have always been sensitive and intuitively aware of how others are feeling, often sensing emotions before they are spoken aloud. Over time, I came to see that this sensitivity wasn’t accidental—it was part of how I was wired.

In many ways, this work felt like a calling. I sensed early on that I was meant to sit with people in their stories, questions, and pain.

Studying Psychology and Child Development at Baylor University

I attended Baylor University, where I majored in Psychology and minored in Family and Child Studies. During my undergraduate years, my interest in human development deepened significantly. I was especially drawn to child development and initially believed I would work primarily with children.

My coursework helped me understand how early experiences shape emotional regulation, relational expectations, and identity. I began to see how family systems, caregiving relationships, and environmental influences play a central role in mental health. This foundation would later become essential to my work with attachment, even as my client population expanded beyond children.

Faith and the Integration of Psychology

My Christian faith has always been an important part of my life and informs my values, perspective, and the way I see the world. As I considered graduate training, I knew I wanted to understand how faith and psychology could be integrated thoughtfully and ethically.

That desire led me to pursue graduate training at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS). My time at DTS was deeply formative and continues to shape how I practice today, particularly in the area of Christian counseling.

At DTS, I learned that integrating faith into therapy requires humility, discernment, and clinical wisdom. I was trained to support Christian clients in exploring faith within therapy while also learning about important nuances and potential pitfalls—such as how spiritual language can sometimes be used to avoid discomfort, grief, or emotional pain. This training equipped me to approach faith integration in a way that is both clinically sound and respectful of each client’s lived experience.

Practicum Experience at Yellowstone Academy

During my practicum experience, I had the opportunity to work with children at Yellowstone Academy. This experience was instrumental in helping theory come to life through real relationships.

Working with children offered a powerful lens into how attachment patterns develop early and how trauma, instability, and relational disruption affect emotional regulation and behavior. I learned firsthand how essential safety, consistency, and attunement are in the healing process. These lessons continue to inform my work across all ages.

Early Career: Private Practice and Adoption Work

After graduating, I began working in private practice while also serving at Nightlight Christian Adoptions. My work within the adoption and foster care space deepened my understanding of how attachment experiences shape individuals across the lifespan.

Through this work, I continued to see how early loss, disruption, and unmet relational needs can impact how people relate to others, manage emotions, and understand themselves—even into adulthood. This season reinforced a core belief that remains central to my therapeutic approach: we are wired for connection, and healing happens within relationships.

A Shift Toward Working With Adults

While much of my early clinical work focused on children, in this season I have found deep fulfillment in working with adults—particularly those who feel stuck in relational patterns they cannot seem to change.

Many of the adults I work with describe repeating the same conflicts, feeling emotionally disconnected, or struggling with anxiety, shame, or self-criticism. Through an attachment-informed lens, we explore how earlier experiences continue to influence present relationships, often outside of conscious awareness. Therapy becomes a space for understanding, curiosity, and the development of new relational patterns.

My Therapeutic Approach

My approach to therapy is eclectic and integrative, drawing from multiple evidence-based modalities to meet each client where they are. I primarily draw from:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Interpersonal therapy

  • Attachment-based approaches

  • Interpersonal neurobiology

Using interpersonal neurobiology, I help clients understand how the brain, nervous system, and relationships interact. This framework often brings relief and clarity, helping clients see that their reactions make sense in the context of their experiences. Therapy becomes less about “fixing” and more about understanding and integration.

Why I Do This Work

At the heart of my work is a desire to support others with compassion, curiosity, and care. What once felt like emotional sensitivity has become one of my greatest strengths as a therapist. I value creating a space where clients feel seen, understood, and safe enough to explore difficult emotions and relational patterns.

My faith continues to shape my belief in the dignity and worth of every person. Whether I am offering Christian counseling or working with clients from diverse backgrounds and belief systems, my goal is always to honor each individual’s story and walk alongside them toward healing.

Continuing the Journey at Neema Counseling

Today, I am grateful to serve clients at Neema Counseling, offering virtual counseling services. I remain committed to ongoing growth, learning, and reflection—continuing to deepen my understanding of attachment, interpersonal neurobiology, and the healing power of relationship.

My journey—from a high school psychology classroom to Baylor University, Dallas Theological Seminary, and years of clinical work—has been guided by the same thread: a deep curiosity about people and a calling to walk alongside others in meaningful change.