Growing up in Appalachia and lower income, it wasn’t hard to see the disparity in healthcare. If there was a healthcare professional available, it was often financially infeasible. Additionally, due to the opioid epidemic, I grew up experiencing the impacts of substance use in many facets of my life. Going into my undergrad experience with undiagnosed ADHD meant that my experience was a struggle due to not having the support systems that were needed. During my experience in undergrad and post graduation, I found myself drawn to activism. I worked with LGBTQ+, Feminist, and Mental Health Advocacy groups both on and off campus. When I graduated, I found myself in the corporate world and began working my way up ladders. I eventually realized that I needed to work on myself in order to be happier in my relationships and with myself. 

As I was looking for clinicians I wanted someone who had experiences with queer, kinky, poly, and non-Christian communities. I could find people that would meet parts of those criteria, but never all of them. After being involved in queer activism for over a decade, I decided to pursue a new type of advocacy and began my journey to become a clinician. 

My whole life has been a journey of learning and growing, then adapting and learning more. Each interaction is a chance for connection and each connection is a chance to learn more about how people experience the world.