Meet the podcasters — the hosts of Bilateral Banter

Before pursuing my counseling career, I was a dedicated opera singer studying at the world renowned Oberlin Conservatory. After two years at this wonderful program, I decided to finish my undergraduate work in Christian Ministries at Leavell College at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) and then completed my Master of Arts in Counseling at NOBTS.

Following my time at NOBTS, I had a wide variety of clientele experience working in inpatient facilities, private practice, safe houses for human trafficking victims, and non profits. My clinical experience has taken place in New Orleans, Lafayette, Opelousas, and India. A large part of my therapeutic focus has been working with individuals that have experienced complex trauma, attachment trauma, chronic illness and pain, medical trauma, and spiritual abuse.

Currently I work more with mental health professionals as a trainer and consultant, helping mental health professionals grow in competency and confidence in working with complex trauma, EMDR, Sandtray Therapy, and Parts Work Therapy. I am a partner and in house EMDR Trainer and Consultant for Loma Therapy.

Alongside consultation and training, I am passionate about making mental health accessible to the greater community through courses, mental health series, podcasts, speaking, and my group counseling practice, Lotus Counseling and Wellness.

On a more personal note, I am married to the love of my life, Trent Istre, and we enjoy the country life with our three pups, Zeke, Mose and Chip. Some of my favorite things are Pilates, reading, puzzles, music, a good nap, miniature schnauzers, and anything artistic such as collaging, painting and pottery.

I bring a warm, creative, and straightforward approach to therapy. My goal is for you to feel genuinely supported as you work through life's challenges and make meaningful change, staying true to your core values while finding your way through the hard parts and toward the things that matter most to you.

As a Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I specialize in the intersection of OCD, trauma, anxiety, perfectionism, and relationship concerns, whether romantic, family, or work-related. I've completed rigorous training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) through the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) Training Institute, and I am EMDR trained through an EMDRIA-Approved Trainer.

I earned my doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Our Lady of the Lake University and completed my internship at the University of San Francisco, where I worked closely with undergraduate and graduate students and deepened my work around relationships, culture, and personal growth. I tailor therapy to fit you, drawing from evidence-based practices including ACT, CBT, DBT, TLDP, and Narrative Therapy. Above all, I focus on building a strong, trusting relationship where you can feel comfortable, collaborate openly, and move at your own pace.

Often, people come to therapy feeling stuck because previous treatments only looked at one piece of the puzzle. I believe in a collaborative, integrated approach that honors both the function of your symptoms and your unique history.

When I'm not in the office, I love to explore: the lively buzz of outdoor markets, the charm of antique malls, and the nostalgia of old-fashioned diners. Whether I'm wandering a small town or diving into a big city, I'm always on the lookout for a new adventure.