Teresa obtained a BS degree in Physical Therapy at California State University, Long Beach. She moved to Northern Arizona, taught at NAU in the Physical Therapy Department, worked in the Indian Children’s Program, and obtained a MA in Forensic Medicine from NAU. She worked in the field of physical therapy for 30 years.
After working with families around addiction, physical and medical trauma, she found a love for psychology and moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico to attend the graduate program at Southwestern College, where she earned a Counseling degree with specialties in Transpersonal Eco-psychology and Grief, Loss and Trauma. She had a private outpatient practice for 5 years in Santa Fe that focused on the connection between addiction and trauma. She is excited to be back in Arizona both to be closer to family and also as a therapist at Spring Ridge Academy.
Teresa has an integrative style designed to meet the individual needs that can foster connection, healing, and hope. Her philosophy as a counselor is to offer support by creating a nonjudgmental and heart-centered environment that allows everyone to find balance and wholeness in their mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. She uses trauma-informed techniques to enter gently into tender areas and finding safe ways to help clients negotiate life’s obstacles and work toward greater personal freedom.
By using the most effective and evidence-based therapy tools–including Brain Spotting, Trauma Resiliency Model, EMDR, Narrative Therapy, and Trauma-based CBT—non-working thought and behavior patterns can be unlocked that are holding the client and the family back. These tools uncover the inner truths that to inform choices, relationships, and brings awareness to the wholeness that has been there all along.
Teresa grew up in Southern California and enjoyed an active lifestyle of bike racing and surfing. She nurtured this love in her family and continues an active lifestyle of backpacking around the world.
“Together, let’s discover the human connection we all long for. Together, we can find healing and hope.”