I grew up in San Diego, California, and graduated with a B.A. degree in French from the University of California at Davis. After living abroad for more than 25 years, I currently live in Brussels, Belgium. I earned my Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Human Life Studies from Koriyama Women’s University in northern Japan. After six years of research, I completed my Ph.D. dissertation, Human lifestyle and sensitivity towards nature—A comparative study between Japan and the West from a religious perspective in 2003. My main research interests include comparative religions, Buddhist practices, mindfulness, and contemplative pedagogy. In addition to being a spiritual director, I am an author, mindfulness-based transitions coach, and teacher of contemplative practices and creative expression. I completed my mindfulness teacher training and practicum at the UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness in 2017 and offer Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) courses to groups in addition to spiritual direction. I graduated from the Phoenix Center for Spiritual Direction Apprentice Training Program in January 2024 and plan to work globally with individual directees via Zoom in multiple languages (English, French, Spanish, Dutch, and Japanese). I also plan to facilitate spiritual direction groups, lead contemplative practices and creativity workshops, spiritual retreats in nature, and pilgrimages to Europe and Japan. I am a member of Spiritual Directors International (SDI). As a spiritual director, I am open and affirming and welcome directees and groups from all faiths, spiritual orientations, cultures, identities, and backgrounds, especially people from the LGBTQIA+, neurodiverse, creative, and global communities. If you’re interested in spiritual direction with me, use the contact form here to request an introductory 30-minute call.