About

Hi! I am Heather, and I’m so glad you’re here!

I have been empowering women, colleagues, and members of my community for 20 years as a nurse, midwife, and activist; now I am extending my skills to you! As a coach, I have seen first-hand the healing that happens when people are treated as wise and sacred beings who are the experts of their bodies and lives. I believe in showing up with authenticity and meeting you where you’re at, no matter where you are on your healing journey.

 

My unique background includes methods rooted in evidence-based research, feminism, humanistic-existential therapy, herbalism, and witchcraft to get to the root cause of beliefs and roadblocks that hold us back from deep healing. We hear a lot of talk about how capitalism, patriarchy, and white supremacy hold us back from living in a world true to our values, and these very things leave us feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and powerless to do much about it. We also lack the everyday guidance to help acknowledge and address how our socialization affects our mental health, creativity, and ability to be effective leaders. This is a blind spot for many therapists and coaches, but I believe it is 100% necessary to address these themes, and it is the heart of the work I do.

 

Women (including trans, nonbinary folx) have more agency now than ever before in modern history (and yes, it is still very far from where we need to be). I believe we have been put on this earth together, at this place and time, to make bold moves towards finding our soul’s purpose and to collectively heal the world; sounds big which is why we don’t do it alone. I would love to hear about your unique journey and how I can help you along the way!  

Qualifications

Degrees

  • Currently, I am in the process of getting my Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate degree

  • I hold a Masters in Nurse-Midwifery and a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. I also have credentials as an Inpatient Obstetrical Nurse (RNC-OB)

  • I graduated from a Certified Nursing Assistant Program in 2004. I am a DONA-trained doula

  • I am the current VP of Oregon American College of Nurse Midwives

Union Work

  • I initiated the organization of 4 separate healthcare worker unions including nurses, doctors, and midwives

  • Nurse Union Steward working on contract negotiations and advocated for PPE for healthcare workers in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic

Spiritual Work

  • I lived in Salem, Massachusetts where I attended pagan circles, and learned tarot reading and herbal magic

  • For the past 8 years I have practiced Soul Collage, attending retreats and practicing independently

  • Regularly participates in silent retreats, mindfulness meditation, nature therapy, and indigenous teachings. I am committed to lifelong learning and deepening my practice of honoring the earth and all its inhabitants

Community Education & Conferences

  • Attended Vital Ways Herbalism School

  • Implicit bias training, training in confronting racism, as well as transgender and gender non-conforming rights and equality; attended Seahorses, and Unicorns: Supporting Trans Birth by Trystan Reece

  • Trained in fat liberation (ASDAH & HAES) as a member and provider

  • Trained in trauma-informed care as well as grief and bereavement for infant loss

Other Initiatives

  • Organized monthly meetings for creating community among birthworkers in Portland, Oregon

  • Lead organizer for Doctors for Abortion Access event in collaboration with Women’s March in Pioneer Courthouse Square, 2022

  • Collaborative organizer of Our Bodies, Our Doctors film showing & fundraising event for NW Abortion Access through the Oregon Affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives

  • Co-founder of leftist news and events newspaper, The Portland Pigeon, in Portland, Maine

  • Founder of women’s health and sexuality collective, The BloodSong Collective, and zine publishing group in Portland, Maine

  • Founder of women’s creative writing group in Portland, Maine