I began working in a mental health clinic before I graduated from high school and knew then that this would be my life's work. I learned at that time, and still believe now, that personal crises and challenges offer us opportunities for profound growth, and that this growth happens best within the context of a trusting and supportive therapeutic relationship. I earned my MSW from the University of Michigan in Interpersonal Practice Methods and studied for my BA in Psychology at Wayne State University. In addition to practicing in mental health, I also cared for perinatal, pediatric, and adult hospice patients and their families as they navigated end-of-life, and I designed and implemented new grief support programs as the director for a non-profit bereavement center. I’ve shared my work as a featured speaker on traumatic loss, professional grief, end-of-life ethics, and other related topics. Along with offering counseling and therapy, I design and facilitate Writing Through Loss workshops, Narrative Medicine workshops, and I train healthcare professionals on grief awareness. I hold a Certificate of Professional Achievement in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University. 

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Following the death of my daughter Camille shortly after her birth, I wrote a book of poems honoring her life called Abruptio. I also co-edited AFTER: Stories About Loss and What Comes Next, and The Healer's Burden: Stories and Poems of Professional Grief. My writing has appeared in various poetry journals.

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I live in Traverse City, Michigan with Eric, my husband of 29 years, and I'm the mother of two young adults, Gabby and Will. In my downtime, I find joy in rowing and walking my dogs, Moxie and Maverick.