Being a caregiver has always been in my nature. As the oldest child and the oldest of 14 cousins, I was often in the role of caring for and entertaining the younger children. After finally deciding to focus on a single major, I graduated from WSU with a B.S. in Nursing, and a hunger to learn more. While working my first job as a nurse, I dabbled in classes in herbal medicine. I took personal time away from hospital work and volunteered on an organic farm for 5 months in southern Oregon. During my next nursing job working for an OBGYN I became interested in birth and lactation. The following year I found myself working alongside oncologists, naturopaths, and acupuncturists as an infusion nurse at an oncology clinic. During this work I realized what I love about being a nurse is the relationship and connection with my patients, and I pursued a certification from the Integrative Nurse Coach Academy.
Shortly thereafter I gave birth to my first child in 2013. The birth experience and postpartum time was traumatic for me, but it gave me clarity that I wanted to help others who had difficulty postpartum. I didn’t know how yet, but I knew if the postpartum period was dark and hard for me, then it must be for others too. A few years later I trained as a Birth Story Listener, a very healing experience. In 2016, I took the Bastyr course to be a Lactation Educator. This was a clarifying experience for me, and I was convinced I wanted to be an IBCLC. My goal as a Lactation Consultant is to hold families in a caring, attuned space during a time that can be full of both joy and difficulty, so gratifying and yet also isolating. I am a forever student – seeking to further my understanding, education, and deepen my skills so that I can better serve those who are seeking care to feed their babies. I live locally with my husband and two children, and 8 ducks. I enjoy gardening, the beauty of the PNW, and going to outdoor concerts. My family is thrilled that I am finally done going to school so don’t tell them I plan to study craniosacral therapy next!