The Short Version        

Early Learning

I was diagnosed with a serious illness at age 23. Early on there were brutal challenges and life giving opportunities.
It was painful, debilitating and unpredictable. I was defiant, stubborn and determined.

Education- University of California Santa Cruz with a BA in Community Studies with an emphasis on the sciences.
I received a Masters in Social Work form Fresno State University with a thesis on "Adaptation to Chronic Disease."

Practice and Humility

I gave up many dreams BUT learned to create new ones. Many treatments and practitioners were helpful at various points of the journey.   My explorations were deemed "on the fringe" in the 1980's and 90's. Today those same treatments are well researched and known to be effective and include meditation, acupuncture, body work of many kinds, spirituality, nutrition, exercise, and belief/cognitive training. There is ample research demonstrating the use of several treatments in careful combination outperforms any single treatment. 

Neuroscience and Giving Back 

I have spent the last 4 years constantly studying the neurophysiology of chronic pain and treatments that take us to the cutting edge. I am using all my 20 years as a psychotherapist and more years as a "patient" on my own health journey, to bring forward a paced, individualized process to support others to recover from chronic pain.