Becoming a counselor was something that I first talked about as a young adolescent! At the time, I could not explain why I wanted to pursue it. I wasn’t thinking about any specific role model for example. But I had a sense of confidence about it. I believe that it is through having a connection with supportive others that we are able to overcome any emotional risks we may feel and take steps toward healing or making positive changes in our life. After years of working in the human services, and never tiring of learning about individuals' struggles and achievements, I am still confident that it is the right profession for me.

Clients who are open to the ups and downs of self-exploration and sorting through problems, and experimenting with new ways to think, feel, and be.

Clients who are searching for ways to better their lives, or perhaps need to heal, and are ready and open to self-exploration, even if it's hard, even if it takes time.

It can be freeing to understand your internal world more fully, even when it is a painful or a complicated process.

Thriveworks provides the support and professional community for me (and others) to grow the practice, to continue building on and developing therapeutic approaches, and to be confident in providing quality counseling services.

Helping people to feel empowered to make a change - whether it's internal or external, a small or big change. It is often small changes that can be most meaningful or make a significant impact in one's life.

I will be highly interested in meeting with them and learning about what brought them to counseling. I will start by reviewing the ‘nuts and bolts’ of our counseling services. This will provide a common understanding for what to expect in counseling, before then using the remaining time to gather information from the client on what brought them to therapy, conduct an assessment and make initial recommendations.

I want the individual (or couple) to leave the session feeling at least a little better, or to have a new understanding, or perhaps a new idea or strategy for moving forward and experiencing some emotional relief.

I spend time with family and friends. I like to be outdoors no matter the weather. I read, watch movies, cook, and garden.

I am a lifelong learner, always open to new ideas.