I hold both a master's and doctoral degree in child, adolescent, and family development with a specialty in marriage and family therapy and have devoted the past 20+ years to my work in the eating disorder community. This has included lobbying efforts for mental health parity in Washington, DC, community-based prevention initiatives, the training and education of treatment providers, and clinical intervention work at all levels of care.  

Prior to working in outpatient care, I opened and ran Clementine, a residential eating disorder treatment facility for adolescent girls.  Before that, I was the Clinical Director of the Eating Disorder Center of Portland and Eugene, both of which facilitate day treatment and intensive outpatient care for all ages and genders.

In my clinical work, I have guided individuals and families across age, race, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic boundaries with a deep commitment to understanding each individual's unique story as it is situated within their particular context and history.  From this foundation of understanding and trust, I help guide the process of developing a renewed sense of meaning and purpose, developing flexibility across all domains of life, and learning to appreciate and trust one's body as well as oneself and relationships. I am a fierce believer in the power of both connection and knowledge that is based on the intersection of science and experience and use both as the foundation of my work.

As an educator, I have worked as adjunct faculty in the eating disorder program at Lewis & Clark, have provided training and educational events to physicians, dietitians, therapists, and other professionals throughout the nation, regularly facilitate treatment based workshops, and am a clinical supervisor in the state of Oregon.