Welcome, Fierce Woman.
I want you to pull up a chair so we can spend some time getting to know each other. Because if my years of working with fierce, high-achieving, unstoppable women have taught me anything, it is that they need to be seen and know they are not alone. I am here to do just that.
So let me ask you some questions…
Are you a high-achiever excelling in your field, but find yourself constantly drained and unable to truly unwind?
Have you already hit the burnout wall? You’ve pushed yourself to the limit and now you're left feeling depleted and lost?
Do you feel like your past may be holding you back, impacting your relationships, and fueling this relentless pursuit of perfection?
Does the pressure to be the best leave you saying "yes" to everything and everyone, while neglecting your own needs?
Like you're on a constant quest to achieve more, but you're missing out on the joy of living fully?
That you’re just ‘doing’ and not ‘being’?
If you are nodding your head,
you’re in the right place.
Hi, I’m Dez.
A highly sensitive, recovering perfectionist, and high-achiever who has learned the art of using soft skills to heal and recover from my need to prove my worth through achievement. Now I help fierce women find their soft power.
Here’s where my story begins…
I grew up in an abusive household, to two small-town and very young parents. My father was a bully and terrorized me physically, emotionally, and verbally from birth.
The other adults around me never stopped him, including my well-meaning and very loving mother. As a young child, I was in a constant state of stress and survival, because my father threatened me and punished me every chance he could and I didn’t have the adult support I needed.
I learned to make myself small, to be quiet, to get out of his way, and always to obey, and I pretty much lived by these rules through childhood and well into adulthood.
Eventually, it became clear that my mother would need to choose me or my father.
So, at the age of 12, my parents divorced and, due to my suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and PTSD, the courts allowed me to no longer participate in weekly visitation with my father.
But my ‘good girl’ tendencies didn’t just magically disappear. I threw myself into my friendships, school work, extracurriculars, and lofty career goals. I excelled at it all. I was obsessed with doing the “right thing,” being “good enough,” and pursuing every opportunity to gain praise and adoration from others.
It all came crashing down when I was confronted by my father in an email.
He stated directly that “he did not love me” nor “need me in his life.”
I spun out of control and began a very dark and turbulent phase in my life where I became severely depressed, and anxious, and again experienced thoughts of suicide, all while attending college, holding down 3 to 4 jobs, and continuing to strive for excellence.
It was time for me to finally address this long history of trauma in a meaningful way. I was going to have to dive deep into my pain.
I challenged myself in ways that I never thought possible, by first allowing myself to soften into the intense suffering I had endured for years.
During this time, I also found my love for yoga and mindfulness. Learning to connect movements to breath was life-changing, especially when paired with therapy. I came to yoga for the physical practice but stayed for the healing. This evolved into a profound embodiment and somatic training.
I had amazing therapists, teachers, and guides along the way.
Eventually I moved through school and received my BA in Psychology and my MA in Clinical Psychology, and became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. You can learn more about that below.
My mind/body practices have taught me many lessons, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Time and time again I come to my mat and work out the difficulties of the day, reconnect to my authentic self, relax and refresh, and am broken and made whole again by the beauty of these transformative practices.
All of this life experience has made me an Empath.
Sensitivity is my superpower. I am highly attuned to the feelings and needs of others. My work is a testament to the power of hope, love, vulnerability, and our innate ability to heal.
It is my greatest honor and privilege to guide you towards greater joy and well-being.
How do I do that?
This process is
about YOU.
About being your truest, most authentic self, where you are loved because of who you are, not because of what you do.
You don’t have to always be pushing to be great.
You don’t have to sacrifice your needs and wants in the service of others.
You don’t have to swim in a toxic soup of chronic stress that undermines your wellbeing.
You CAN be soft AND fierce.
Want to learn how?
Learn how to rediscover your inner strength, heal your trauma, and lead with a renewed sense of empowered resilience.
My Qualifications
12+ years experience as a Clinical Therapist (LMFT)
10+ years experience as a Mindfulness Practitioner
8+ years Somatic Counseling and Yoga Therapy
9+ years as a female entrepreneur and business owner
6+ years leading international Wellness Retreats
4+ years as a Clinical Supervisor
4+ years as a Group Practice Owner
3+ years as a Business Coach
2+ years as the Executive Director of a non-profit
200HR Yoga Teacher Training
50HR Trauma Informed Yoga Training
Applied Polyvagal Theory In Yoga
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level 1
Internal Family Systems Informed
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping)
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
Work with Me
Free 7 Day Mini Course
