About

The name Pathways Upstream was born out of my Yup'ik (Alaska Native) heritage and my training in social work and public health. Every year, the salmon return upstream to the place they were born. This annual journey has been part of the rhythm of my own life as I return to the region where a lineage of strong, Yup'ik women have harvested salmon for generations. Furthermore, in considering the multifactorial roots of adversity, we look “upstream.”

Salmon strips drying on a rack in rural Alaska

I was raised in rural Alaska, went to school in California, and now call Utah my home. When I'm not working, I spend as much time as I can with my family and soaking up the outdoors. I enjoy trail running, hiking, and rock climbing, and I have relished introducing my two daughters to the wonders of nature.

Pathways Upstream

Approach

I ground myself in empathy, acceptance, and whole-hearted listening. I view experiences through a trauma-informed and anti-oppression lens that aims to be mindful of the historical, cultural, and social factors that influence health and well-being. I use a developmental framework to normalize and problem-solve parenting and relational challenges. I hold that everyone is doing the best they can and that there is power in being curious towards those parts of us that sometimes get in the way. Together, we'll create a path towards recovery and sustainability.

It is an honor to bear witness to others’ stories, and I am humbled by the opportunity to accompany you on your journey of self-exploration.

Graduate training and work experience

I have Master’s degrees in Social Work and Public Health and I have been a practicing clinician for over a decade. During graduate school, I worked with children and teens in school-based and medical settings. My post-master’s clinical training was at a child and adolescent outpatient mental health clinic, followed by time at a youth residential treatment program. I then spent 5 years working at an integrated primary care clinic supporting adults and children with chronic and complex medical and behavioral health concerns. At that clinic, I provided intensive mental health treatment and care coordination to patients, supported members of the treatment team, led the trauma-informed care initiative, and facilitated the overall behavioral health integration efforts.

I hold the perinatal mental health certification from Postpartum Support International with training to offer assessment and treatment for women and families across the spectrum of reproductive health experiences. I am an Internal Family Systems Level 1 trained clinician through the IFS institute, which I completed with an amazing Global Majority cohort. I completed EMDR training with the EMDR Institute and participate in ongoing EMDR trainings.

Credentials and Training

Education