About Andrea
Professional Education:
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT)
University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work, Masters Degree (MSW)
Colorado College, Masters Degree In the Art of Teaching (MAT)
Cornell University, Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development
Certifications and Links:
Emotionally Focused Couples therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement & Desensitization Reprocessing)
The Enneagram
Imago Relationship Therapy
More about Me
Since I was a child I always had the sense of something more to life than what meets the eye. I spent my time reading and being in nature. My first teachers were my grandparents. My grandmother was fun-loving and very emotional and my grandfather had a daily spiritual practice. I carry them both with me now. When I was eleven I read my first book about personal and spiritual growth and that began a life-long passion.
I discovered yoga and meditation at twenty-six. I was very anxious and self-critical and found it difficult to relax. As I continued my practices I began to experience an inner stillness and more joy. At the same time I started counseling and began to learn that my ruthless inner critic had an opinion of me that I didn’t always have to share. The cloud of self-doubt I lived in was lifting and I began to feel more vibrant and effective. Sharing this experience of growth with others became a strong force within me. I decided I wanted to do counseling professionally and returned to school. In forty years of practice I always have loved learning new techniques and tools to grow. It makes my work fresh and new as well as richly rewarding.
After having a progressively more profound hearing loss and becoming almost entirely dependent on lip reading, I received a cholear implant in May of 2023. My years of disabling anxiety about what I could and couldn't hear are melting away. I feel a new level of confidence and a willingness to share what I've learned about mindfulness, compassion, and embodied presence. Now I can enjoy music. I've written and recorded a song called "We Are All One". It's my vision to share my song and the message: we are all one with the world.
Practicing hatha yoga as a student and now as a teacher gives me a chance to feel more flexible and powerful in my body and to share that with others. Laughter Yoga has given me an outlet for my silly playfulness and provides a good balance for my serious side. It is so much fun to bring laughter to others and to watch people melt their masks of self-protection and enjoy themselves.
Three of my favorite things to do are connecting with people in a meaningful way, being in nature and moving my body around. I enjoy hiking, walking and biking alone and with friends. My newest endeavors are practicing QI Gong and pickleball. I also love reading and learning. I practice yoga, meditation and laughing everyday.
Integrating mind, body and spirit has been a lifelong journey. In it I embrace a deeper connection with myself, others and the universe. It is a great privilege to share this journey of growth with you.