Biography

Darrylann has always loved helping people find joy in life. For 20 years, she did this through music as a professional piano accompanist and piano teacher. But then, the world of music changed. Accompaniment tracks became more popular, and people no longer needed an accompanist to perform. Darrylann knew she needed to find a new way to help people gain self-confidence while learning new skills.

She thought about what she loved most about her work as an accompanist: helping people feel confident and supported as they performed. She realized that she could still do this, even without a piano. So, she became a behavioral health clinician, helping people with anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. She has worked in a variety of settings, including a hospital emergency department, community mental health agency, high school, Multnomah County behavioral health, and retirement communities.

As a clinician, Darrylann loves providing information and tools to individuals and their families, so they can cope with, overcome, and thrive in difficult situations. She knows that life is hard, but she also knows that people are resilient and can overcome challenges. She feels fulfilled when she can help someone ease their burden and find hope for the future.

Darrylann is an avid reader, consuming an average of 75 books per year. She has been a member of a book club for 26 years, and they have had the privilege of hosting several authors at their meetings. Darrylann’s reading interests are wide-ranging, including mysteries, historical fiction, non-fiction books related to mental health, travelogues, and coming-of-age stories. She is particularly interested in books that explore the human experience and offer insights into the nature of relationships.

When she’s not working or reading, Darrylann enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She has three adult children and two young golden retrievers. On sunny days, she rides her bike to work, feeling the breeze on her skin, hearing the birds, and seeing the flowers and trees as she glides along her commute. It’s a great way to start her day and center herself before focusing on her patients.