About Me

Art has always been my sanctuary — a place of peace, insight, and transformation. As a little girl, I loved making mud pies in the backyard, letting the cold, wet earth run through my fingers and bake in the sun. On quiet Sunday afternoons, I’d sit at the coffee table drawing cartoons, and as a teen, I would retreat to my room to sketch portraits. Creating has always been how I process the world. Today, I still feel that childhood joy when I move acrylic paint across a canvas — often with my hands, connecting to that same sense of wonder I found in the mud.
 

I was first introduced to art therapy over twenty years ago, when a retired art therapist visited a local art club I attended. Her story captivated me — the idea of helping others heal through creative expression deeply resonated. Although it wasn’t the right time to pursue it then, that seed stayed with me. Years later, I began facilitating art with at-risk teens in a counseling program. Watching how art opened emotional doors for them was the catalyst that launched my journey to become a Registered Art Therapist and Expressive Arts Therapist.
 

I earned my Master’s in Counseling in 2015 and became a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) shortly thereafter. Since then, my path has continued to evolve. I am now a Board-Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC), a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT), and a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S). I specialize in working with women navigating trauma and PTSD, weaving together expressive arts therapy with evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), EMDR, and Trauma-Focused CBT.
 

In addition to clinical work, I teach graduate-level counseling and expressive arts therapy courses and provide supervision to emerging counselors and expressive arts therapists. I also lead visual journaling process groups, offering a unique space for personal reflection and emotional healing through imagery, symbolism, and creative exploration.
 

My private practice, Create Therapy, PLLC, reflects my belief that healing is not a one-size-fits-all journey. My work is grounded in deep listening, creative expression, and the belief that every person has an innate capacity to grow, heal, and reimagine their story.
 

When I’m not in session or in the classroom, I’m likely in the garden, painting in my studio, walking in the Texas sunshine, or curled up with a good book and my two cats, Noah and Oliver. I’m also a proud grandmother — living in Fort Worth to be closer to my grandsons — who continue to remind me of the beauty of curiosity, play, and connection. I feel deeply grateful to have my three adult children living within a short drive away. Watching them grow into compassionate, thoughtful adults has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Their presence grounds me, and their continued support and love are a steady source of inspiration.

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