I had the great good fortune to be raised by loving and stable parents with exposure to the woods, rivers, and wildlife. I was taught a life of service to others being raised on a summer camp for kids. I learned interpersonal skills and a love of children. I stumbled into child welfare as a career and that led to a desire to help people heal from trauma and other issues that can bring on troubled feelings and unstable behavior. I suffered trauma as an adult and went through many challenges I overcame through seeking therapy myself. I learned so much about therapy by being a client and my son and I were helped by a very talented young woman. I want to give back what she gave to us and share the knowledge and experience my many years in the workforce has taught me. I have been through many developmental stages and at my age, I understand developmental crisis at many stages and how to resolve them.

I enjoy working with a very diverse population of clients and there is no particular type of personality I prefer. In order for therapy to be effective, the individual seeking help must be as honest as possible and that is the only thing I would ask of any client is to just be honest. I can accept whatever you think and feel.

I am most looking forward to working with pre-school and elementary school age children who are struggling with life's demands and who will benefit from play therapy.

I wish all clients knew that whatever they are thinking and feeling and however they are reacting to their thoughts and feelings is normal and can be resolved through receiving support and guidance.

A dear colleague told me he had worked for Thriveworks and highly recommended the company. I had been exploring different job possibilities and came across the opening in Champaign and was thrilled to be ushered in as a provider. As I approach retirement, I am thrilled to have this opportunity and to have the benefit of working from home. When I researched Thriveworks, I found the company to have good reviews. I think this will be the perfect venue for me to use and further my clinical skills.

I am most inspired and comforted by nature. I love to watch the sky and lose myself in noticing the changes in the sky as we float around the sun. I am inspired by music. I am inspired by art. I am inspired by the way in which people can be compassionate and giving. I was inspired by my parents who taught me a life of service to others and the rewards of helping.

Clients can expect me to ask very few questions and to do more listening than talking. Clients can expect me to take notes. Clients can expect me to show the joy I feel from being invited to participate in the healing process of another human being and the profound gratitude I feel that someone might trust me to share their innermost feelings. Clients can expect me to throughly and with knowledge answer any questions they might have and if they have a question I do not know the answer to that I will research a reliable source and find the answer.

I want to accomplish in the first session a good start to a thorough assessment of the client's symptoms and concerns while building trust and rapport with the client.

Clients should know that they will be greeted warmly and gently, but with the enthusiasm and anticipation evoked by meeting a new client for the first time. Clients should know they will not be judged and will be supported.

I enjoy the outdoors and all the fun and relaxation it brings, decorating for holidays, water color painting, being with family and our dogs, reading, swimming, camping, boating, gardening, and socializing with friends.

I am an artist who loves to capture nature in watercolor painting.