As a cisgender, heterosexual woman, my life was untouched by identity issues, until my son came out as gay, and my own identity metamorphosis began. 

My journey from pain to pride coincided with my enrollment in graduate school where I earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology. I was deeply touched by the curriculum I studied which illuminated the cultural oppression and social injustices that impact the mental health of LGBTQ+ individuals. I was inspired to specialize my degree and training, and once licensed I opened a psychotherapy supporting the gender expansive population. 

To best serve my clients, I became WPATH GEI Certified, joining a worldwide group of only 5,000 medical and mental health service providers committed to providing the highest standards of care to transgender and non-binary individuals.

My journey to ally was further fueled by the painful stories my clients shared, inspiring me to begin speaking out and finding ways to create change in the community. I co-founded The Prism Institute in 2014 and began providing educational workshops on affirmative LGBTQ+ practices to schools, businesses, and mental/medical health services providers nationwide.

Reflecting on the sorrow, shame and fear I felt, and how my education and experience enlightened me and emboldened me, I developed a transformational process to help parents, partners, and professionals explore their beliefs and perspectives, and gain important insights and understandings about gender diversity so you can shed your pain and step into your pride.