Bio
Originally from Las Vegas, I moved away for a short time to further my education by attending BYU Hawaii in Laie, HI. This unique experience vastly increased my knowledge and appreciation of other cultures and allowed me to reconnect with my Polynesian background. I returned to the mainland to complete my undergraduate degree at BYU in Provo, UT. In 2001, I moved back to Las Vegas to complete my graduate work and to enjoy being close to family once again.
I count myself very fortunate to be a third-generation therapist. My father has a thriving Marriage and Family Therapy practice in Southern Utah and my late Grandfather was a retired professor of one of the top MFT schools in the nation. He also maintained a private practice as well. I have learned many things from both of their examples. As early as my High School years, I was helping with teen panels, parenting classes, retreats and seminars for my father’s therapy center. Because of this life experience, I was raised on many of the “techniques” and “theories” that most people learn about in books and work to put into practice. This has provided me with amazing resources and examples to build on as well as cultivated my unique and authentic understanding of how therapy works on the ground, with real people and families.
The most valuable lessons I’ve learned are to be a truly authentic and caring therapist and to make connecting with people the key focus.