Online therapy in 41 states. Click here to view the list.
Hi, I'm Dr. Tera.
I am a passionate licensed psychologist with 20+ years of training and experience in the world of mental health, across many settings with skills for treating a wide range of presenting concerns.
I wholeheartedly believe in the power of therapy and have witnessed it's profound impact working alongside clients thousands of times!
I am skilled in providing personalized mental health care with compassion and heart. As a therapist, I am warm and transparent. In therapy, I am there for you, and I also don’t shy away from helping you to see how you might be getting in your own way. And, often, it is helpful for clients to know a bit about the person they will be working with so closely.
A little bit about my background:
I was born and raised on a farm and cattle ranch in rural South Dakota. I am grateful for this upbringing because on the wild prairies I developed the grit that is reflected in my professional work. I am a seeker by nature, and was a voracious reader as a child. At a very young age, I became interested in the concepts of psychology and mindfulness practice.
During my childhood, I fell in love with understanding the human experience and wanted to be able to contribute to the lives of other people. I was active in during high school in leadership roles, sports, and academics. I also lost multiple friends to suicide and substance abuse. I became aware of mental health struggles within my family and friend network, which solidified my desire to gain the skills to be able to make a true impact on other people’s lives.
About my training:
Undergraduate Degree: Chadron State College
Graduate Degree: Utah State University
Post Graduate: Treating Individuals with Eating Disorders, Families, and Teaching
I attended Chadron State College and was active in intramural sports and served as the President of Cardinal Key, a National Honor society for women. I graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2000 with degrees in Psychology, Substance Abuse, and a minor in Business Administration.
In 2000, I began my doctoral training program in Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychology at Utah State University. During graduate school, I received specialized training in Health Psychology and Rural Psychology, which provided a foundational background for the provision of teletherapy services and an integration of mind/body work in therapy.
During my graduate training, I was awarded the Walter R Borg Scholarship, the Blue Ribbon Award from Division 40 (Clinical Neuropsychology) of the American Psychological Association, and was recognized on the President’s Honor List from 2000-2006. As part of my doctoral training, from 2005-2006, I was fortunate to complete an internship in the Albuquerque, NM area and served as the Chief Resident.
During this rigorous training year, I learned from top clinicians in the areas of Motivational Interviewing, Health Psychology, PTSD, residential substance abuse treatment of adolescents, and inpatient psychiatric care at the University of New Mexico Hospital consultation liaison unit.
Following my graduate work, I have been immersed in a residential eating disorder treatment setting. The clients I have served over this timeframe suffered tremendously and presented with many co-occurring physical and psychological conditions. In this setting, I have worked with clients from around the world, and mastered the integration of telehealth services, allowing for inclusion of family members and treatment teams from each client’s home area.
Based on my tenure in the field I have worn many hats during my 15+ years with an organization I love where I continue to serve patients and their families. I am proud to say that from roles in primary therapist to leadership, I have been fortunate to work with some of the best and brightest minds in the areas of Interpersonal Neurobiology, Attachment, Trauma, Applied Neuroscience, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Psychodynamic understanding of the root causes of illness-mind and body.
I have trained intensely in regular consultations with Bessel van der Kolk, Dan Siegel, Norman Doidge, and Ed Hamlin. I also serve as an adjunct faculty member at Utah State University’s Department of Psychology and taught Sports Psychology for many years. I have a long history of providing clinical training of doctoral psychology students and also coordinate an outcomes research project to further the scientific understanding of how therapy treatment outcomes are sustained over time.
More recently, given the changes in the mental health landscape related to the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been credentialed by the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) Commission to offer telepsychology services to individuals in the states mentioned on the home page.
When I am not practicing psychology or reading about neuroscience, I find peace immersing myself in the grandeur of the mountains, quiet time tending my garden, traveling and spending time with my family. I also soak up love from my yellow labrador and two rescue kitties.
Thanks for your interest in learning about my training and background. I hope it is evident that I am a life-long learner, working to continuously evolve as a person, mom and professional. I am excited to work with you, help you learn about yourself, and develop self compassion and skills to work through your particular challenges as well as celebrate progress and change. My ultimate goal is that through working together in therapy, you gain lifelong self understanding and skills that significantly enrich your life.
