I am the human of a wonderful dog named Hachi.

My story

What do you want to be when you grow up? My first career choice as a child was to be a veterinarian and live on a horse ranch. Human healthcare was not part of the plan. Growing up in rural Wisconsin, I just didn't see much of the healthcare system. But when my first child was born prematurely, I was so inspired by the nurses that I left my job at Trek Bicycle and became a CNA. I haven't stopped learning about human health ever since.

With 35 years of experience working in healthcare, I have witnessed how deeply physical health and mental health are connected. Even when someone receives excellent medical care, meaningful health outcomes can be difficult to achieve if mental health is not also supported. These challenges do not discriminate—they impact individuals across all social, cultural, and financial backgrounds.



My curiosity about this connection led me to study mental health more deeply, where I began identifying patterns in how people think, feel, and respond to life experiences. Through this journey, I developed a strong appreciation for the neuroscience behind mental health. I believe that when people can understand what is happening within their mind and nervous system, and are able to connect with others, they are better equipped to create meaningful and lasting change. I experienced this myself during my own mental health journey and as a meditator. From practices that have held up over thousands of years, I gained a deep appreciation for the importance of recognizing our own innate wellbeing by building the skills of awareness, compassion, and wisdom. We were meant to flourish.

In my work, I focus on helping individuals build their innate awareness—the natural ability we all have to notice our internal experiences with greater clarity and understanding. As awareness strengthens, it often fosters greater compassion and wisdom toward oneself and others, supporting a sense of innate wellbeing that already exists within each of us.

Research in neuroscience continues to show that small, intentional changes can significantly influence the brain’s plasticity—its ability to adapt, grow, and form new patterns, at all ages. Through supportive guidance and collaborative care, I help individuals explore these small shifts that can lead to profound and lasting improvements in mental health and overall wellbeing.

Nature offers powerful lessons in authenticity. Animals and plants exist without pretense—they respond to their environments with clarity, adaptation, and balance. By observing the natural world, we are reminded that meaningful change often happens through small, steady shifts rather than sudden transformation.

Growth in nature, and in animal training, is gradual, responsive, and deeply connected to surroundings, much like our own mental and emotional well-being. Spending time noticing these natural patterns can help us reconnect with our own innate capacity for healing, regulation, and compassion.

Nature invites us to slow down, tune in to our internal experiences, and cultivate greater kindness toward ourselves and others. At Tidepool Mental Health, we value these natural principles as reminders that well-being can be nurtured, supported, and strengthened over time.