When people find out that I am a couples and marriage therapist, people often comment “I don’t know how you do that. I can’t imagine having to listen to people all day!”

Truth is, I love what I do. I feel very fortunate every day that I have been able to pursue my dream career, my calling in life.

Here is my story.

The Human Experience

I am from Colorado Springs and graduated from Wasson High School, which is really where my passion for relationships started, as weird as that sounds. To some of my friends I was known as “the love guru” due to my penchant for researching relationship topics and sharing the information I found with my friends. I also fell in love with my now-husband.

I graduated valedictorian and enrolled in University of Colorado Denver’s nursing program. I happened to take a psychology class in Denver. That changed everything for me.

I transferred to University of Colorado Boulder, which has a strong Psychology program, and double majored in Psychology and Sociology.

When I arrived at the Boulder campus, I volunteered in one of the psychology research labs that focused on relationships. I loved it! I volunteered all four years and did an original research project and thesis that earned me a summa cum laude distinction upon graduating.

My research focused on interracial relationships – a topic close to my heart. This was also my first exposure to learning about sexuality and culture. I found that relationships and sexuality are so universal in many ways, yet so unique in others. They can have profoundly positive or negative impacts on life.

I see relationships as one of the most important aspects of our human experience.