“I often think of life as a quilt, and every phase is a new square. At the time, you don’t know exactly what you’re making and how it’s going to all fit together. It’s only in looking back that you can see the beautiful pattern you’ve made.”
For me, connecting financial strategy with psychology was a natural fit, but that’s not to say it was an easy journey! In my undergrad, I was hyper-focused on the financial world, diving deep into business with concentrations in marketing and computer information systems.
During my first job out of college as a mortgage loan officer, I realized I wasn’t just a banker. I was also a counselor, helping my clients understand their financial story and envision the path to homeownership. I didn’t find it awkward or uncomfortable at all to have candid conversations about money with my clients.
After getting my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy, I came across the concept of Intuitive Eating through my own recovery work. (This led me to later develop a specialty in supporting those with eating disorders and their families, I call this the Intersection of Money and Milkshakes!)
During this time, I learned how to listen to my intuition, which was all I had after my sudden divorce—my life was in chaos, and my finances were in ruins.
In what seemed like an instant, my credit score was in the 500s and I had no savings. I worked hard, but I never saved money because, unconsciously, I felt like putting money into savings meant taking it away from my kids. Struggling with guilt for the impact of the divorce on their lives, I felt pulled toward buying things for them as a greater show of affection and motherly love; it felt like an affirmation that I could do it on my own.
Through my own money work, I later realized how much of my lack of savings was about the emotion of guilt, not the lack of intelligence or skills. This was surprising to me, since the underlying motivators were buried deep, and relieving to me because I found a path of healing and change.
When you see this rationale from the outside, it’s easy to see how illogical it is. But in the moment, it felt like the obvious choice. This became one of my own great “aha!!” moments when I did my own financial recovery work.
All of that turmoil and uncertainty eventually led me to a place of clarity and peace, and enabled me to do the work I do today with clients. I now specialize in the emerging field of Financial Therapy as a Money Coach through the Certified Financial Recovery Counselor program. I’m also a member of the Financial Therapy Association.
I want you to know that no matter how shaky the ground you’re standing on is, I can guide you to a firm financial foundation.
When you hear words like “financial issues” or “financial therapy,” it can stir up so many emotions: fear, shame, anxiety, even anger…But in my financial therapy sessions, you’ll feel empowered, confident, relieved and *gasp* we’ll even have fun!
I absolutely love my job. I get to work with individual clients, couples, families and business owners to explore their relationship with money and get past obstacles in their way.
I am based in Denver, but I’m available anywhere virtually! I work with clients like you from across the US and internationally.
I live in the Denver, Colorado, area, which has been a lifelong dream of mine. I have lived here for a little over ten years. I all the outdoors brings me, skiing, hiking, horseback riding, and even outdoor yoga. I believe in the healing power of being in nature!
I’m here to help you understand more about the psychology of money in an open, supportive space.
I help people connect to their intuition and learn to listen when it comes to money. This often means looking for patterns, stories, and subconscious beliefs and putting judgement-free words to them. I always encourage my clients (and myself) to look at their finances with compassionate curiosity.
We have to learn compassion for our own negative feelings, and get curious about resolving our financial issues instead. When you examine your money story through a lens of kindness, it opens up so much and transforms your relationships—with your money, with others, and with yourself.
No matter where you are, across the US or globally, you can start your Financial Therapy sessions virtually from your home or office today. We start with a free Discovery Call. I offer a unique blend of therapy and coaching, I like to call this Money Mentoring. Our time together is tailored to your goals and your story.
I’m also available for speaking engagements, from how to talk to your kids about money, to money in relationships, to changing your financial story. Contact me to learn more.
