I am the Business Manager here at The Human Connection.  You will most likely talk to me when you call in or contact us via email. I take great pride in matching every client with the right counselor to provide them with the best possible support.  I do all of our billing, manage the building, and support the public in understanding the services we offer.  I was born and raised in Sandpoint, and while I've had the privilege of traveling, Sandpoint has always been my favorite place. I love the mountains that surround our beautiful home, and spend as much time in them as I can, whether that's hiking, camping, or riding my horse. When you visit our counseling center you may also meet the office dog and my adventure buddy, Loki, who hasn't met a human he doesn't love.

I am a lifelong behavioral health practitioner with 30 years of experience providing counseling services to a large cross section of clients including veterans, first responders, athletes, and teens learning to manage symptoms associated with post traumatic stress, chronic pain, chronic conditions, depression, anxiety, and phase of life transitions. My goal is to understand and connect with clients to help better manage thoughts, feelings and behaviors to increase performance in life, relationships and/or career. My experience also tells me that true happiness involves a focus on the whole person, and I often collaborate with other wellness practitioners for a solution focused approach using the most suitable evidence based strategies to help you learn and grow. Together we can navigate your own unique life plan in a safe, nonjudgemental environment. I am a certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, and certified in Chronic Disease Management, PTSD for the military and military culture. I am also licensed to treat co-occurring disorders in another state.

I love working with people from all walks of life. I believe that because we are human, we struggle and get hurt, but we can heal through healthy connection and self-reflection. 

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My goal is to create healthy, safe connections with my clients that encourage growth in the way they are hoping for. I am a Christian, and offer secular and/or Christian-based counseling services for anxiety, depression, trauma, couples, and parenting/family struggles. My approach varies depending on the client, but I usually incorporate the development of mindfulness and self-awareness into our work. I believe that change comes with understanding and the right support. 

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I am a North Idaho native with a deep love for my family and the outdoors. My happy place is in a raft on the river, rain or shine.

My goals as a clinician are to offer understanding, support, and genuine compassion as my clients work through issues including trauma, addiction, stress management, anger, depression, and family and other relationship dynamics. I am a Sandpoint native, and I love living and working here with my wife, Kristal, and our four beautiful children. I am passionate about working with individuals and families through one-on-one, couples, and group approaches. While I am a Christian, I incorporate a wide range of secular and other spiritual practices into my daily walk and my approach to counseling. I hold a Doctorate of Law from the University of Idaho and a Master's Degree in Social Work through the University of Southern California.  I believe in meeting my clients where they are in their lives, and that we all benefit when we have safe places to share and grow together. In addition to traditional talk therapy, I am a certified DBT Therapist and an EMDRIA Trained EMDR Therapist.

I seek to help people find genuine connection and growth using a collaborative approach to counseling. I believe that we all see the world in very different ways because of our past experiences and our current place in life. As your counselor, I see you as the expert on your own life and will help you develop a deeper understanding of how you want to grow as a person. I believe counseling comes with challenges as well as celebration. I welcome clients of all ages and walks of life and accept people simply for being themselves. I am also professionally trained in Neurotherapy and am excited to provide this service to our community and make it as widely available as I possibly can. I was born and raised in North Idaho and have a wife and two beautiful children that drive me to be the best I can be. I strive to cultivate an atmosphere of acceptance and love in both my own life and the Sandpoint community.

I offer Counseling services to clients of all ages and walks of life who seek support for issues related to: Post-Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury, chronic pain, depression, and anxiety. Clients also seek my support during major life adjustments and transitions such as separation and divorce, chronic medical issues, job/career changes, and during times of loss and grief.  I tailor my therapeutic style to meet the needs of each person, and my clients describe me as warm, nurturing, and authentic. I strive to provide a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental setting where we can work together to attain your therapeutic goals.

It is my desire to help clients of all ages who are seeking support and understanding with depression, anxiety, adoption, military life, trauma, and marriage and family issues. I have an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and in Human Services Counseling: Marriage and Family.  I grew up in Washington State, married my husband in 1995 and we have traveled across the United States since then with the military. We recently settled in Priest River and are excited to start a new chapter in our lives. We have two adult boys, and adopted an 11-year-old special needs girl in 2015. I am a Christian and can offer both Christian and secular counseling in our Sandpoint and Priest River offices. I’ve had a passion and desire for helping people for as long as I can remember and would love to meet and walk with you in your journey, wherever you are. 

I have been involved in Behavioral Health and Addiction Recovery since 2009. Prior to joining The Human Connection, I worked in residential treatment settings, therapeutic boarding schools and community mental health, where I learned to treat those with addictions as well as other mental health conditions. I received my Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling (M.Ed.) at the University of Idaho. While in graduate school, I became an EMDRIA trained EMDR therapist. I specialize in treating trauma, addictions, grief, depression and anxiety. I bring a straightforward and passionate approach to my work in the mental health field. 

I was born and raised in Sandpoint where I enjoy hiking, biking, skiing and anything else this beautiful area offers. I have a Golden Retriever named Rex and often bring him into the office and into sessions (for added support).  

Acknowledgement and appreciation for our unique life experience can be a powerful healing tool which leads to self-acceptance and empowerment. Everyone has something about themselves that they aren’t proud of or are feeling challenged to navigate through. We all do our own healing, but we don’t have to do it alone. It takes courage to ask for support and having someone to walk through it with you can create needed connection and a smoother transition to becoming the person you envision yourself to be. It is my hope that you will find a safe and unconditional environment in our sessions together, and if I am not the best fit for you, I will do my best to help you find a therapist who is. 

I am a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (LAMFT). I hold a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, and a sex therapy certification endorsed by AASECT, the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists.
I welcome individuals, couples, families, adults, teens and tweens; all relationship orientations and sexual identities. I specialize in supporting all walks of life for needs related to LGBTQIA+ concerns, grief, depression, anxiety, gender transition, trauma, chronic and long-term illness, sexual concerns, life transitions, spirituality, healthy communication, parenting, adulting, mindfulness, meditation and somatic awareness. 

I’m glad you’re here and I look forward to meeting you.

I founded The Human Connection in Sandpoint in 1991, and strongly believe that, with the right kind of support, everyone can grow to have a more fulfilling life.  I enjoy working with clients seeking to grow their lives and are willing to do the work that growth takes.  I believe that all of us are wounded in some ways, and, most importantly, that all of us can heal.

I am a passionate and active member of the Sandpoint community, having volunteered for many organizations over my three decades in Sandpoint.  I founded the Long Bridge Swim in 1995, and have volunteered many years at the Panhandle Animal Shelter, The Panida Theater, The Festival At Sandpoint and for many other events and organizations.  I draw inspiration from nature and animals and genuine connections with other people.  I have a wonderful wife of 18 years and we have two adult children who also live in this community.