As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I specialize in working with adolescents and adults. My approach to care is rooted in compassion and respect, and I am committed to creating a safe, trauma-informed therapeutic environment. I believe in building a trusting, patient-centered partnership where individuals feel heard, understood, and empowered in their own mental health journey.

My path to becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner was shaped by powerful professional and personal experiences. Working as a nurse in the correctional system, I witnessed firsthand how unresolved trauma can shape a person’s life. This experience not only inspired my commitment to addressing root causes but also equipped me with extensive skills in crisis intervention, allowing me to de-escalate acute situations and support patients in their most vulnerable moments. On a personal level, advocating for my own child with special needs taught me the importance of education and support, a passion I shared with other families through the Iowa Family Leadership Training Institute.

Driven by these experiences and the critical shortage of mental health providers, I pursued my advanced degree. I earned my Associate of Nursing from Iowa Central Community College and my Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University.

I grew up on a farm near Lohrville, Iowa, and it has always been important to me to serve the rural communities I call home. By living and working in the area, I hope to help bridge the gap in access to mental health care. Outside of work, you will most often find me spending time with my family, especially trying to keep up with my two energetic “bonus” grandsons.

I joined Magnolia Connection in November 2025 and work with adolescents and adults at our Ames location.