Why I became a clinical psychologist

For as long as I can remember, I've been curious about relationships. I grew up in a family that was no longer together, living mostly with my mother and seeing my father through long drives, plane rides, and occasional visits. Growing up between two very different perspectives left me wondering why people can live through the same situation and experience it so differently, and what happens inside us when important relationships change.

Both of my parents valued education and achievement, and school became the place where I felt validated. But even with each straight-A report card, I wondered whether achievement alone was really the goal. That question has stayed with me: How do we pursue excellence without losing ourselves or our relationships along the way? It's the question behind much of my work, helping people manage anxiety and expectations, understand themselves more deeply, and build lives that are meaningful, not just successful on paper.

As an only child raised mostly by a single mother, I sometimes felt lonely. Today, as a clinical psychologist and a mother of three young adult women, I want to help people build relationships that are honest, make room for differences, and extend grace. My faith continues to shape how I understand healing and human dignity, and my training gave me the tools to explore these questions with you.