A Little Bit About Me

I grew up in James City County, just down Route 5 from Richmond, along the James River. With a father from England and a mother from New England, I had a different upbringing than most Virginians. I was exposed to a lot of different cultures, philosophies and religions along the way, creating in me a very open mind and curious spirit. I studied English and Psychology in undergrad, got a master's in education at VCU and taught in Richmond Public Schools for 5 years before returning for an MSW. As a teacher, I saw traumatic childhood experiences affecting the lives of my students, as well as the oppressive elements of society at work. Being in charge of our garden club all 5 years of teaching allowed me to see the wonders of nature therapy and as an English teacher we used methods of narrative therapy unknowingly. I get very excited about nature and spend most of my time immersed in it, whether I'm hiking and camping, playing sand volleyball by the river, or adventuring on the James. I also spend time playing indoor volleyball, writing, and spending time with friends and family.