When I was younger, I was a chef and became disabled due to an accident on the job. I was on disability and wasn't happy with my life and going through a messy divorce. I went to therapy and one day my counselor told me that she didn't know why I came to her. She said that she only assisted me as I did therapy on myself. She encouraged me to explore and I did. I went back to school at UCA and took basic courses to start working on a bachelor's degree. One semester I took an elective in abnormal psychology, and I knew what I was going to be. This put me on the road to where I am now and I have loved every minute of it. Helping others to find their way out of what can be a devastating state is such a blessing to me.

I can do therapy with anyone, but my love is older adults.

I wish people would understand that it isn't a sign of weakness to come to therapy. It is the strongest move you can make when you are struggling. It is strong and responsible, and it isn't something that they will be judged for by the therapist. We are here to help others, and it gives us joy to do so.

Early on we will be getting to know each other. I feel that building trust and a feeling of compassion is imperative to good therapy. I will listen and allow them to fully describe what it is that they are struggling with so that I can effectively help them. As we move on, I will ask them to describe where they want to be in life and what it is that I can do to help them get there. We will develop personalized strategies to move them toward the place where they can find peace and good function in their lives again.

When I was in my early years in mental health work, I did my practicum and internship working with Dorcas House and Nehemiah House in cooperation with Union Rescue Mission. There I worked with people struggling with addiction, abuse, and homelessness. The insight that I gained from this was invaluable. I have struggled with abuse, divorce, failed adoption, and the hurt that comes from being a larger person. I have people that I love from all walks of life, and I feel that I have a good perspective on some of the challenges that come from daring to be yourself and following your own path, even if it isn't what others think you should be doing.

Therapy is a partnership of trust and confidentiality that is combined with experience and knowledge to build a framework for the client to build the life that they desire. My job is to listen first and foremost, but then I work to involve the client in designing their own path to healing. I don't try to push them into a design of my making.