I am a native Austinite who received a master’s degree in social work and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Texas. I began my career at Shoal Creek Hospital’s adolescent unit where I was a program counselor for seven years. During my tenure there, I created a group for adolescents who had been sexually abused, developed and ran a children's treatment program, and led the parent group for families in aftercare who had a teen with alcohol or drug problems. After leaving Shoal Creek, I joined the Minirth-Meier Tunnell and Wilson clinic and began working with both adults and children. I co-led or led a group for individuals with eating disorders and was clinical director for an inpatient eating disorders program. Since 1992, I have been in private practice.

I have a teenage son, and through him have become active in scouting. I teach paddlecraft safety to scout leaders, am the Eagle coordinator for my son's Troop, and the training chair for the Waterloo District of Boy Scouts of America. I am active in my church, volunteer through Drive a Senior and Bridges to Life, and play and sing in a musical group that performs in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. I enjoy snow skiing and hiking archaeological ruins in Utah's Canyon Country.