These days my life is very full! I have had three children in three years – all boys! I’m a Christian, married, and passionate about raising my kiddos to be confident, secure, and loving men! We do a lot of adventuring together. Locally, we spend as much time outside as we can and we absolutely love traveling! With babies in tow these last few years we’ve traveled to England, Scotland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Greece! I also love puzzles, my gym time, and connecting with all my mom friends.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’ve been married for ten years. A few years ago we were diagnosed with infertility and told we likely wouldn’t have children. I shared a vulnerable blog post with our community about the diagnosis and my grief journey. Then, we were blessed with a surprise pregnancy and then two more! My boys are wildly different but each so so sweet. The oldest has been articulate and passionate since eighteen months. These days he loves the Beatles. Yes, the band more so than the bug! My middle is a heart-forward joy. He says hello to everyone and is quite adventurous – he’s already been to the hospital three times in less than two years of life! And my youngest is a smiley newborn. He coos and cries a lot. My husband owns a commercial construction company and is endlessly renovating something in our own home. Sometimes my brain is ex-hausted from the endless learning and doing in this phase of life!
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist and Owner of Wellness & Co. – a mental health and wellness practice. I am passionate about creating a business that values work-life balance. I believe clients have a far better chance for healing when their provider promotes and values their own healing. I also love teaching and training therapists and supporting their own growth. The best days are when I can check in on my team, hear about their life, support them, and connect with my own clients. Next steps are building out a branch of the practice that serves those seeking to heal and regain confidence in their identity.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Pairings Bistro, Coffee Coffee, One Eleven Main.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I grew up in Harford County, left for ten years for my college studies, and returned to live and work. I opened my business in 2016!
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
A therapist never tells! Honestly, my clients…they are some of the most incredible, committed, and honest people. And to have an insider look at their struggles, strengths, and growth is something I do not take for granted. They are all so fascinating – I wish I could tell you about each and every one. And they are our community. They are everyday people who are committed to healing, it’s so cool to be a part of that. Becky Rohrback, who has been my doula for all three of my children, is a gift to this Earth. She has helped me confidently deliver my babies, two at home, and has an emotional attunement and physical gentleness that is unmatched. I also find Breanna Kuhlmann endlessly funny and generous. She has photographed and loved on my sweet business and family for years, even when my husband brought home a baby squirrel he rescued!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
St. Elmo’s Fire, Titanic, and Armageddon are all fantastic movies! I also love New Girl, Handmaids Tale, and Game of Thrones. But I get the absolute most joy out of watching American Ninja Warrior!
Q: What advice would you give to people?
To be endlessly devoted to inner awareness, spiritual growth, and emotional and somatic development. And if that all sounds lame or confusing then let’s chat!
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I have so many businesses I’m loyal to but nostalgia feels different. The other day I took my sons to play mini golf at Churchville Golf Center and it brought back a lot of memories. I even remember the drive in movies that was across the street, the Big M.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Taylor Swift! Yes, I’m a Swiftie *and* I’ve seriously respected her business sense and advocacy along the way. She hasn’t always advocated for things I agree with but she continues to use her voice and I admire that. I’d want to pick her brain about business, staying the course with authenticity, and when to take the big leaps versus small consistent ones. To be honest, I get more out of conversations when I’m moving so I’d invite her to Emily Bayless for a walk and talk conversation. I love that the trail is pretty private with lots of nature. Then maybe we’d pop over to Coffee Coffee for my absolute favorite treat – a Vegan Blackout Cookie. The sea salt on top is perfection!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
That we support and recognize Women Owned Businesses. When I was starting my business not many women owned therapy practices locally and now there are so many, which is absolutely incredible! And, Harford County also has a lot of other businesses owned by women. As I’ve journeyed from being a business owner to now a mostly full-time homemaker I’ve appreciated that our community is welcoming of moms and creatives. Moms and owners. I was a business owner first but I love that I can be mom now, too.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Hopefully outside playing with my kiddos! Maybe more babies. And hopefully more professional developments, too. Wellness & Co. has some amazing things in the pipeline – a second, specialized location/center as well as adding more brilliant therapists to our team. I’d love to write more as well!
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I don’t technically love emotions. I know why they are powerful, beautiful, and healing, heck, I’m a therapist. But, when they come up I’m just like everyone else in wanting to stiff arm them for another day. I’ve learned that the best gift to myself is to feel them, work with them, and ride the wave but gesh are they inconvenient sometimes!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Sex? Is this question about our town or life in general? Ha! I suppose if I’m rating something locally it would be the Center for Trauma, Stress, and Anxiety. That’s where I go to therapy and it’s been an absolute game changer in my life. Outside of Wellness & Co., I am forever grateful for how they have supported me and those I love with their services.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Cliche but my sisters, my mother, and my children are my top inspiration. I’m also a part of an amazing play group where the mothers are top-notch in their care and vision for their families. All of these people show me that intentionality, commitment, kindness, faith, playfulness, and growth are beautiful pieces in my own journey.
Q: What community service or volunteer work do you participate in for your local community?
Wellness & Co. has used its financial resources and time differently over the years. During COVID we selected twelve local businesses or organizations, one for each month, and donated to support their mission/cause. Examples were Gorillaz Fitness, the Ma & Pa trail, and Girls on the Run. Right now we have been honing in on an initiative where we can support a local business for years to come. We want to find a business or organization that aligns with our values and gives back in a powerful way. If you have a recommendation we’d love to hear it! We’ve also attended the last two Community Yard Sales with the Bel Air Downtown Alliance and have had a blast getting rid of some items and connecting with locals.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Silliness, togetherness, nurture.
