Courage and Excitement are my Favorite words.

I’ve been in this field a while. I fell in love with social work in 2008. Prior to 2008 I was in school (to be a chiropractor lol) and was working as a plumber. I was laid off in the 2008 recession, and couldn’t find decent work for 6 months. During that time I started volunteering at a Homeless shelter in SLC and I was surprised to find that I LOVED IT!

There was something about having a short space of time where I could give 100% of my emotion to help someone else that I loved. Plus I was just new, and I knew that this feeling inside me was what mattered the most. I felt like I could do this forever and it would never get old.

And it never has…

Fast forward, I worked in multiple programs as a bachelor’s level social worker, supporting primarily teens and adults with mental illness. I got my masters of Social work and have worked as a Counselor since.

Outside of work, I love being outdoors, hiking, camping, building stuff, like tree houses or underground houses, or working on my house. I have 3 kids from 6-10 yo that are dear to me.

Finding that Warrior Spirit is really important to me. I feel like we live in a world that beats down our tenacity for life, but we live in families that long for us to channel this Life-giving, order-creating power. I consider it a mission to ‘rally the people’ to liberate the captive and help others find their courage again.

Credentials

  • Worked as a social worker with Chronically Homeless, Substance Abuse, and SPMI Severe, Persistent Mental Illness. 2008-2012

  • Worked 3 years as Unit Manager training those with chronic mental illness to manage their mental health symptoms and obtain meaningful work.

  • Quit this to move to Arizona to “become farmers” lol that… did not go so well…

  • 6 months at CPS was too long. “I don’t ever want to play “Bad Cop” again. it’s not who I am.

  • Found My family in working with with significant mental health and behavioral issues in teens and family support, Arizona, 2015-2018.

  • Got MY Masters of Social Work and worked in 3 internships, Hanoi, Vietnam, with Blossom House. Anasazi, in Arizona, and Wellspring Counseling, Idaho Falls. My emphasis was Social Work and Non-Profit Management.

  • I’ve worked in individual and group counseling since 2020 in Idaho Falls with America Health. Working primarily with Depression, Anxiety, Addiction, and Trauma.

  • I’ve notice that Humor is the greatest power to stay focused. Building in time for time outside, SNL, Runs, and daily silliness keeps me on top of my game.

what they’re saying…

  • "I feel at ease and relaxed. I feel like a weight has been released off of my whole body like everything was lifted off of my whole body. This was very helpful."

    — Privately Disclosed

  • "I've worked with Riley and I've realized (Client speaking to himself, giving advice to himself) You know you're a good person. You can handle that little bit of weight. You can carry it for a little while. You don't have to carry it with you, you can carry it for a little while, and let it go anywhere later. It's not as bad as it seems.

    — Privately Disclosed

  • "Honestly I felt a lot better. I felt like (Special Someone) is proud of me. I felt like he was looking at me and he wouldn't want me to feel the way I felt. I know before that I didn't think it would work out between us, I felt like you pushed me too hard to process around (special Someone), but I'm glad that you're my therapist".

    — Client

  • “I would always beat myself up. I would tell myself that I lost the best part of me and the best part of my life. When I did trauma therapy with Riley. He gave me strength, I thought I had lost those strengths, but I still have them.”

    — Privately Disclosed

  • “Riley gave me something I never had before. Hope.”

    — Privately Disclosed

Feel like you want to see what it’s all about and see if we’re a good fit? I’m ready if you are.