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About Me

Over the course of my life, I've worn many hats: research scientist (BA, Molecular biology; Masters, Microbiology), teacher, professional artist, performer, and parent.  The common thread that has run through all of those vocations has been my joy in learning, discovery, and improvement. In parallel with my professional life, I've also been keenly interested in interpersonal interactions, intimacy, and authenticity.  These two facets have merged in my practice as a Surrogate Partner.  I received my training in surrogate partner therapy from IPSA (the International Professional Surrogates Association) in 2016 and co-founded the Surrogate Partner Collective and Chair of AASECT’s Somatic Sexuality Professionals Special Interest Group.

In my practice, I seek to help people create foundational self-knowledge that enables them to effectively navigate healthy and fulfilling intimate relationships.  Motivating this is the core belief that sharing intimacy with others is an essential part of the human experience.  While it is important for everyone to have the option to feel connected with others, many find it difficult (or impossible) to make this connection.  Physical limitations, personal history, poor self-image, and even lack of experience can create seemingly insurmountable obstacles to establishing and maintaining healthy intimate relationships.  Surrogate partner therapy offers a unique, tailored space in which to safely explore trust, communication, emotional intimacy, sensuality, and sexuality.  Each of these pieces are important in their own right and essential in how they interconnect to influence healthy relationships. 

In helping clients achieve their goals, I strive to maintain high professional and ethical standards and promote accessibility of surrogate partner therapy to ensure those in need may receive the most successful treatment. In addition to my work with clients, I advocate for my profession by educating therapeutic professionals in addition to the broader public. Drawing from my experience as an educator, I've presented on surrogate partner therapy at a range of professional conferences, workshops, therapeutic practices, and professional groups.  In discussing my work, I encourage dialogue about a variety of topics--intimacy, sensual awareness and embodiment, and communication--that are so desperately needed in our society.