About Me
With over 30 years of experience in mental health, I’ve dedicated my career to supporting adults and children impacted by trauma and nervous system dysregulation. I have learned that compassion and understanding are essential for regulation and learning, and I am passionate about equipping therapists, caregivers, teachers, and volunteers with concrete tools to implement with children in a variety of settings.
Introduction to Somatic Experiential Play Therapy
This course will give you a foundational introduction to the Somatic Experiential Play Therapy modality created by Sara Werner and Melissa Wetterlund.
I specialize in helping therapists—especially play therapists—deepen their understanding of trauma, children’s play, and metaphors, and the subtle cues of the nervous system. It’s exciting and rewarding to walk alongside professionals as they grow and develop confidence and concrete skills in working with children.
Parents often come to me feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to support their child who may be struggling with big emotions and behaviors. I love helping them discover what’s really going on underneath the behaviors, and guiding them in simple, effective strategies that bring more peace and connection at home.
In schools and churches, where staff and volunteers often feel unequipped to respond to children’s big emotional and behavioral challenges, I provide training through a trauma-informed, somatic lens. My goal is to offer practical, step-by-step tools that can be used in real time—bringing clarity, confidence, and calm to even the most challenging moments.
Credentials and Recognition
• Founder and first President of the Minnesota Association for Play Therapy
• 2020 “Shining Star” Award from MNAPT for contributions to the Play Therapy community
• Licensed Psychologist
• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor
• Somatic Experiencing Practitioner
• Adjunct faculty experience
