From the start, sports have always been a means of connection for me. They’ve brought me closer to the people I love and myself.

I had the opportunity to run at University or Oregon and Florida State University. And through that tumultuous and heartbreaking experience, I became passionate about athlete mental health.

I completed my graduate degree in Couples and Family Therapy at the University of Oregon with the sole intention to work with athletes, knowing with proper resources we can prevent a significant amount of athletes’ suffering. 

Now, as a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Co-Founder of Thrive Mental Health (an outpatient mental health clinic in Bend, Oregon), co-author of The Price She Pays and, most importantly, a mom to three kids, I am deeply committed to ensuring sports are an enriching experience for youth that elevates their mental health and well-being. 

Together, I know to my bones – and through a lot of research :) – that we can change the framework of sport and mental health and preserve the health of the athlete. This means more fulfillment, longevity in the game, and development of characteristics that will benefit them for their entire lifetime.