Professional Highlights
I'm a clinical social worker, relationship coach, author, and group facilitator (and professional singer, although less of that these days) with twenty years of experience helping people communicate more clearly, navigate conflict without destroying each other, and build relationships that are worth having.
I work best when I manage my own time, but I love contract work with other organizations. I thrive in creative, diverse, and collaborative environments.
There is a bio for coaching clients on this page, but for corporate, nonprofit, and school-based work, here are some specific career highlights. (If you're a LinkedIn person, here is that too.)
Education
BA, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA (2001)- English Literature, Philosophy
MSW, The Brown School of Social Work at Washington University, St Louis, MO (2005)
specialization in Youth, Families, Relationships, Gender, + Sexuality
Recent Relevant Experience
Clinical Social Worker/Therapist (2012-2021, 2026-)
Full-time mental health therapist, owner of Miller Counseling & Consulting, LLC (2014-2021) and current owner of Roots & Keys Therapy, LLC. Clinically licensed social worker in MO + IL since 2011. Providing therapy for men at midlife, perimenopausal women, and anyone in transition of any kind (and others). Blending many evidence-and-trauma-informed modalities and practicing decolonization in all areas of my work.
Life, Relationship, & Leadership Coach (2021-
Full-time coach and facilitator, owner of Roots & Keys Coaching, LLC; specializing in personal growth, professional development, and interpersonal dynamics, with a private office and group space in St. Louis’ Central West End. I specialize in helping couples build communication and connection skills. More about this.
Group Workshop Designer & Facilitator (2016-)
Design, development, and delivery of engaging, interactive customized sessions and presentations on Healthy Communication, How To Do Conflict Well, Boundaries, MBTI®, Giving Feedback with Kindness + Clarity (etc) for organizations of all kinds as well as regularly scheduled public programming in my group space, called HeldSpaceSTL. In my group coaching practice, I host a secular program called "Not Church" as well as women's workshops, communication boot camps, and topical discussions.
Interim Executive Leadership (2023-2024)
Served two year contract as Interim Director of the Ethical Society of St. Louis, a Humanist “church”/501(c)3 with 300+ active members and $10M+ in assets. Oversaw a staff of nine part-time employees (including hiring and firing), reorganized the org chart to reflect updates and changes in governance, and co-managed an annual budget exceeding $650K. Led strategic planning, community engagement, and organizational health initiatives. Created and effectively filled two new executive leadership roles prior to contract end.
Creator of Transformative Programming for ESSL (2023-2024)
Designed and facilitated original workshops and community service projects, wrote and delivered 25+ original keynote talks for Sunday morning gatherings (called “Platform”), and provided pastoral care, all drawing from expertise in relationship counseling, coaching, social work, mediation, and public speaking.
Author, Speaker, & Content Creator (2017-)
Author of "Easyish: Keys To A (Relatively) Easy Relationship" (2021), with a relationship coaching program built around the book’s principles. I wrote one blog with 500+ posts, have started a new one here, and historically have a strong (and occasionally polarizing) presence on social media, including written and unedited advice videos. Radio and podcast guest appearances on occasion.
Here is what I'm particularly good at:
Conflict Navigation & Systems Thinking
I bring a sharp eye to group dynamics and the health of interpersonal systems, backed by training in civil and domestic mediation (meets requirements for MO Supreme Court) and 15 years as a marriage/relationship counselor. I am very quick to synthesize patterns of current behavior into solutions for improvement.
Emotionally Intelligent Leadership Coaching & Team Development*
I am passionate about employee retention, team cohesion, and customized 360° feedback assessments that illuminate paths to growth and cultural alignment. Research suggests that psychological safety is imperative for building courageous leaders; developing work cultures where growth can thrive requires skill and capacity-building around interpersonal human capabilities (aka “soft skills.”)
*Past clients and speaker engagements include: The Simon Law Firm, WEPower, Missouri Family Health Council, Jones Family Law, Wild Horse Elementary School, Luther College, St Charles City + County Library, Garcia Properties, Internal Auditors Association (St Louis Chapter) + Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, The Brown School of Social Work, National Association of Social Workers, National Independent Venue Foundation.
Contact Me
If you have a team, organization, or leader that could use some of these skills, I'm always interested in connecting to see how we might work together.
Let's connect. Email is best, and then we can set up a coffee or Zoom to discuss details.
Text: 314-502-9275