What experiences do you have that draw you to trauma therapy?

I am 49 years old and have extensive life experience to draw on for this type of therapy. I am a child sex trafficking and domestic abuse survivor, so I have lived experience of the anguish of complex trauma and navigating a winding road to continued healing and recovery. I understand, on a personal level, how trauma can shape perception, behavior, mental health, physical health, and emotional regulation over time. This perspective has given me a strong sense of empathy and compassion.

With a 25-year background in editorial and marketing, along with lived and professional experience across three continents and diverse cultures, languages, and faiths, I have developed a strong ability to listen deeply, meet people where they are, and hold space with openness and without judgment.

I “walk the talk” and have a passion for giving voice to the voiceless. I am a Native American of the Kiowa and Apache Tribes of Oklahoma and am an advocate for MMIWG2S (Murdered, Missing, Indigenous Women and Girls, and Two-Spirit people). I serve as lead writer for the Human Trafficking Team, contributing to documentation, grant writing, narrative development, and translating field insights into policy and funding frameworks. I’ve spoken internationally on this ongoing crisis impacting Indigenous communities at the United Nations in Geneva and at UN Women at the UN headquarters in NYC last month.

I am also a best-selling co-author (written with my twin sister) of SAVAGE, a harrowing, unflinching memoir chronicling our survival as adopted Indigenous twins trapped in a sadistic house of horrors. The book reveals the chilling reality of childhood abuse and sex trafficking hidden in plain sight. 

What is your interest in this specific type of work?

My interest in this work is rooted in the lived experience of trauma and grief, and a clear understanding of what it takes to function through it day to day, because the path to support, recovery, and healing is never straightforward. This work sits at the intersection of vulnerability and resilience, where people are often navigating the most disorienting periods of their lives whilst searching for meaning and stability. I’m particularly interested in supporting individuals in making sense of their experience without rushing the process, and helping them rebuild a sense of agency in a way that feels authentic to them. 

Where do you imagine your future career headed?

I see my career developing in trauma-informed care as a licensed therapist, with a focus on integrating evidence-based practices alongside emerging, holistic approaches. I’m interested in working with individuals impacted by complex trauma, including sexual trauma, human trafficking, and domestic violence. I also hope to contribute to the broader conversation around trauma by engaging in psychoeducation, content creation, and research to help make mental health support more accessible and less stigmatized.

What is your approach to therapy?
My approach to therapy is grounded in being trauma-informed, client-centered, and collaborative. I believe in creating a space where clients feel psychologically safe, respected, and not reduced to their experiences. I tend to draw from modalities such as cognitive-behavioral with a strength-based approach, while remaining flexible and responsive to each individual’s needs and cultural context. At the core of my approach is the belief that healing is not linear and that therapy should support clients in developing insight, emotional regulation, and a stronger sense of self at a pace that feels sustainable for them.

Areas of Study

Certified Hypnotherapist

I am a certified hypnotherapist trained under world-renowned hypnotherapist Grace Smith.

My focus areas include pain management, inner healing, and parts therapy — a gentle hypnotherapeutic approach that helps clients understand and harmonize conflicting parts of the self to support emotional healing, clarity, and personal growth.