Counseling for Children - Nurturing Hearts, Growing Minds

Emotional pain can cast shadows on our lives that break our hearts. We become trapped in feelings of worthlessness, emptiness, and brokenness. We struggle with distorted beliefs that something is irreversibly wrong with us. It's hard to feel not only that we are missing something but also that we are not worthy enough to have that something. This can leave us aching with sorrow. There is good news: you have a true self that is completely whole and knows how to find peace. My mission is to accompany you in your shadows and unlock your inner power to heal. I’ll walk with you to the other side of your pain, where personal growth and healing occur. There is light and hope. I aim to help you step into the life you desire, become aware of how your thoughts shape your world, and guide you in shifting them to reflect the life you’ve always wanted to create. I believe that everyone has a vision for themselves and their lives that they wish to unlock. I want to help you find the key and show you how our lives are stories that we write, pen to paper, each day. I believe that you can transform every moment of your life to become exactly who you've always hoped to be. My experience has shown me that human beings comprise parts that yearn to connect in a healthy way. At times, these parts are in conflict with one another, blocking our path to success. I would like to help you achieve wholeness with all the beautiful parts of yourself. A key component of my approach as a counselor is to bring awareness to how we create our reality. I guide you in shifting maladaptive beliefs to create an empowering story in which you are fully engaged in your experience. I offer a safe space for you to express and understand yourself and heal. I have extensive knowledge of therapeutic tools that I tailor to each individual client to best fit their needs and goals. My main areas of specialization involve working with maladaptive coping skills and unhealthy perceptions of self, others, and the world. Much of my prior clinical experience has been with male offenders in correctional facilities, where I conducted both individual and group counseling. I worked with individuals who struggled with severe mental illness, interpersonal problems, anger management, thought distortions, maladaptive coping skills, and criminal behavior. I taught and guided individuals in using therapeutic tools and techniques to regulate emotions, manage relationship conflict, and ease symptoms of trauma. I am passionate about personal, professional, spiritual, and emotional growth. I believe that we all have the ability to consistently evolve and continue creating the best version of our lives every day. I am always striving to learn the newest and most effective therapeutic techniques to increase my knowledge and expertise, in order to help you as best as I can. I look forward to walking down your path with you and seeing all the places you'll go. It's time to become the hero of your story.

As a counselor, my goal is to aid you in reclaiming your inner strength and resilience, empowering you to heal from past wounds, overcome obstacles, and navigate the challenges that life may bring. I am here to guide and support you as you work through difficult emotions and experiences, helping you to uncover hidden strengths and develop new coping strategies. I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive space where you can openly explore your emotions, identify patterns or behaviors that no longer serve you, and set meaningful goals for personal growth. Together, we will work to uncover a deeper, more meaningful sense of self—grounded in self-discovery, authenticity, and a greater understanding of your unique journey. Whether you are looking to process past trauma, strengthen relationships, or gain clarity about your direction in life, I am here to walk alongside you every step of the way.

I am a mother to three adult children, a grandmother to the sweetest girl, and the wife of an exceptionally gifted husband. As a therapist, I've faced challenges in treating people to a standard of health or healing. Every medical profession, except for mental health, has a specific standard that defines when a client is considered healthy or healed. The optometrist corrects vision to 20/20, a dentist ensures teeth are straight and free of cavities, and an orthopedic doctor restores broken bones to their proper alignment. Therapists are called to help restore, heal, and empower clients to move forward in life. Furthermore, as the wife of a retired military veteran, I have great admiration and love for the men and women who serve our great country. I am passionate about helping those who are hurting due to military deployments, separations, divorce, and anyone who simply needs a listening ear to share their story. I have survived deployments, year-long separations, single parenting, and moving from state to state and overseas. I have endured many life hardships, fought personal battles, and emerged victorious. In addition, I have worked with individuals on parole and probation, those dealing with bipolar disorder, depression, trauma, schizophrenia, and addiction-related issues. I enjoy working with adults. I specialize in: Military Lifestyle, depression, anxiety, co-dependency, addiction, and marital infidelity. My counseling style seeks to meet the needs of those I serve. I am a faith-based counselor with experience in CBT, DBT techniques, reality-focused therapy, and EMDR training. The most daunting challenge for any client seeking help is making that first contact and walking through the door. There is victory on the other side if you are willing to take the first step in seeking it. My door is wide open and ready to help those who are weary, downtrodden, or who simply need affirmation or encouragement. My clients say I listen intently, engage passionately, and have the ability to be direct, courageous, yet kind and empathetic.

The hardest part of the therapeutic process is reaching the door of the therapist. I believe that the work begins at that moment. The relationship you develop with your therapist is essential to feel and know you are "heard." Holding space for people and finding a way to the light of healing is crucial. Change occurs when a person is willing to bring the issue or issues into the light. As a therapist, my goal is to assist you in finding deeper meaning and healing. My position is to help you through the process. I look forward to helping you along the journey of healing.

Congratulations on taking the first step to improve your mental health! It is important to me, as a therapist, that you feel comfortable in a therapeutic relationship and that you feel heard. No one knows more about your life and experiences than you do! We will be able to work collaboratively to help you take the next steps to reach your goals and feel heard in a safe place. Therapy is not a "one and done" experience, and my goal is to provide the necessary tools, resources, and skills to help you thrive based on your individual needs. I look forward to working with you through this healing process.

Hello, I am very excited to embark on this journey with you to improve your mental health! My approach to counseling combines uncovering negative experiences and beliefs that harm your mental well-being with providing you practical tools to work through these issues. I achieve this by integrating skills from DBT, CBT, and ACT with deeper work through EMDR and IFS therapies. I have worked with a diverse range of clients, including children, teens, families, and individual adults, and I believe that this knowledge allows for a holistic approach to working with each person. I hope that through our partnership, I can offer you the help you seek!

"It's not about what it is, it's about what it can become." One of my favorite quotes from Dr. Seuss; his wise words sum up my approach to working with any client, from preschool age to midlife. I believe in transparency and client empowerment; YOU are the one who decides what your goals are. My hope and my goal are to help you work through whatever obstacles you may face and develop a roadmap for success. With several years of experience in trauma therapy, I believe in establishing a safe environment, and I promise all of my clients that their voices will be heard. I look forward to working with you and discovering what can become of the journey we take together!

Have you been searching for a therapist who will take the time to truly understand your heart? Are you ready to learn more about yourself and discover new ways to think through beliefs that no longer serve you? As a therapist who has been "on the other side of the couch," I know what it can be like to find someone you feel connected with, who is also willing to walk through your journey with you. As a mind-body-based therapist, I primarily use Sensorimotor Psychotherapy to help clients better connect with themselves, which is a significant component of recovering from trauma. I also work with clients through a "parts" work lens that stems from Internal Family Systems (IFS). Both of these approaches allow clients to identify and connect with parts of themselves that they may have shut down from awareness while in survival mode. Additionally, I utilize other modalities, including but not limited to: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution Focused, Strength-Based, and Motivational Interviewing. I am equipped to compassionately support those who have survived and persisted through trauma, both childhood and adult, as well as those who struggle with anxiety, depression, life coaching needs, relationship issues, substance abuse, medical conditions, and life transitions. If you are looking for a therapist who is willing to help you discover the depths of your heart and not turn back in fear, I invite you to reach out and see if we're a good fit.

As a professional clinician, I understand the significance of therapy and believe that together, we can navigate the path towards improvement. Your comfort is paramount, and we will proceed at a pace that suits you, working towards your desired goals for a better life. It would be my privilege to provide guidance and assistance, creating a customized plan tailored to your specific needs, marking the start of a new and prosperous chapter. I would be honored to have a conversation with you today, which will kickstart your healing journey. I have a specific interest in incorporating somatic approaches into therapeutic practices within the workplace. I am skilled in utilizing cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavioral approaches to enhance treatment outcomes. My primary objective is to actively engage in deep listening and provide assistance in fostering meaningful connections and developing effective coping mechanisms.

As a dedicated counselor, I guide individuals through the complexities of emotional well-being, relational patterns, and personal growth. My work is rooted in existential philosophy, blending eclectic and trauma-informed approaches to empower clients to explore their authentic selves and navigate life’s challenges with resilience and clarity. I believe in the profound impact of social connectedness on mental health and self-esteem, and I’m passionate about helping clients build relationships that foster trust, empathy, and belonging. My approach is grounded in evidence-based practices, and I offer compassionate support to those seeking to enhance their connections with themselves and others. Through a strength-based lens, I work collaboratively with clients to embrace vulnerability, acknowledge their unique stories, and empower them to make meaningful lasting change. True growth happens in relationship with others and with oneself.