I design services for people who've traditionally been left out of the process. With 4+ years as a Licensed Social Worker and Mental Health Therapist, I bring trauma-informed practice and systems-level thinking to every project.
My path wasn't traditional, but it gave me something most designers don't have: deep understanding of how systems impact real lives.
I spent 4+ years as a Licensed Social Worker and mental health therapist in Appalachia, working with families in crisis, youth in juvenile justice, and communities navigating broken systems. I saw how services failed people. This was not because of poor intentions, but because of poor design.
I realized the barriers I was seeing (the gaps, the moments people gave up) weren't just policy problems. They were design problems. The families I worked with deserved services that actually met their needs. So I decided to learn how to redesign them.
Now I combine clinical expertise with design thinking. I bring trauma-informed care, systems thinking, and inclusive design practices to every project. I design for equity, dignity, and the people who've been systematically left out of the process.
Design projects and case studies
A trauma-informed service design system supporting queer and trans individuals experiencing burnout through creative, restorative practices. Reframes rest as resistance through introspection and creation.
Redesigned in-app user flow based on frustrations expressed during user interviews, improving accessibility and reducing friction from item selection to checkout.
Additional case studies and work samples currently in development.
Before I called it "service design," I was already doing the work.
I quickly realized my clinical experience wasn't separate from design. I was doing trauma-informed service design and qualitative & quantitative design research in healthcare and social services. I was mapping service delivery pain points, co-designing interventions with users and stakeholders, and redesigning systems to better serve vulnerable users. Here's what that looked like:
MST, I-FAST, and IHBT (2022-2024): Led evidence-based interventions for youth in juvenile justice and families in crisis. Conducted cross-sector research with regional juvenile court systems, probation departments, K-12 schools, psychiatric teams, and social service agencies to map barriers and co-design interventions that improved outcomes within policy constraints.
Co-Founder & Co-Facilitator (2016-Present): Built and sustained community infrastructure for trans and gender-expansive people in rural Appalachian Ohio. Designed programming, facilitated support groups, and created systems for mutual aid and advocacy in a resource-scarce context.
Licensed Therapist (2020-2021): Provided trauma-informed, affirming therapy to LGBTQIA+ clients, transracial adoptees, and individuals navigating religious trauma. Collaborated with multidisciplinary providers to design holistic care that addressed systemic barriers affecting mental health outcomes.
I'm looking for service design opportunities where I can bring my clinical background to bear on problems that impact real lives -- wellness, social services, civic tech, community wellbeing, and systems that serve marginalized populations.