I was born and raised mostly in Los Angeles, CA and spent my teenage years in Seattle, WA. From a young age I was baffled by the human experience. I longed for connection and authentic relationships with those around me. I spent years searching with various therapists and therapeutic modalities until I finally found what I was looking for — through my work with plant medicine and the extraordinary guides who shepherded me along my way. That’s how I came to do this work — helping others connect with themselves and the world in deeper, more authentic ways.

My first career was as a chef. I started cooking professionally at the age of 15 in a small café in Seattle. From there I bounced my way across the country cooking and studying in New York, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles. I even spent two years as a chef in Yekaterinburg, the fourth largest city in Russia. During my time running restaurant and hotel kitchens I learned that the classic French toque is only one of many hats that a chef must wear. To those I worked with I was a social worker and counselor. I helped cooks and sous chefs navigate drug and alcohol addictions, divorce, the birth and death of children, career development, and the search for their life’s purpose. While I loved the creative and fast paced nature of kitchen work and the joy of leading a diverse staff, I found myself taking even more sustenance from my one-on-one work with my staff. In the end, I made the decision to leave the restaurant world and embarked on a new path — a helping profession. 

I entered an extensive guide training program taught by some of the leading experts in this field. Concurrently I undertook the Two Year Comprehensive training program in the Hakomi Method of somatic mindfulness psychotherapy. I also completed a coaching training at Presence Based Coaching in Asheville, NC. At the end of 2022 I graduated from an Internal Family Systems(IFS) Level 1 Training. I was honored to be a part of the first ever IFS training pairing the IFS model and psychedelic assisted psychotherapy. 

In 2022 I founded the Psychedelic Society of Asheville. This is not an individual undertaking by any means. Working with fellow guides and facilitators in the Asheville area we will be offering social gatherings, informational sessions, guest lectures, and harm reduction resources to the local community. To join us, click here