I remember when a 6 year old child died in my neighborhood when I was a kid that my mom took me and the siblings of the deceased child to Butler's orchard to go strawberry picking. It did not take the pain away, but I learned you can help people feel they are not alone during even their darkest moments just by being present My Mom was a counselor and she just always knew how to make people feel they were not alone. I guess listening and offering advice is like "strawberry picking" clients can take what you like and leave the rest.

I  work best with clients who are on the more mature side, perhaps in their 20's. 30’s and 40 years old and older until 65 years of age. I AM ESPECIALLY EXPERIENCED AND ATTUNED TO THE LBTQIA+ COMMUNITY AND VERY MUCH ENJOY WORKING WITH THE “OPEN GENERATION”. I also like working with women in mid life going through empty nests or having children not ready to launch. I like working with trauma, all kinds of childhood trauma, but in more recent years I have enjoyed working with veterans and front line workers adult traumas.

Lately, since the pandemic, I have become very interested in adult trauma. I enjoy working with front line workers, medical professionals, police, firefighters etc I also like working with veterans. I am most excited to work with clients willing to share their feelings and who want guidance on how to mend their relationships. Of course, I have a passion for women 40 and over to be in my diverse Phenomenal Sisterhood Women's Groups dealing with mid life and Beyond. I have two Life in your 20’s and 30’s support groups, Men’s support group, Most insurances cover group therapy. I ENJOY WORKING WITH THE QUEER COMMUNITY “THE OPEN GENERATION” IN GENERAL. 

Trust the signals your body is giving you. The body tells the truth.

I liked the peer case consult and supervision opportunities. The profiles of the clinicians seemed like people that could enrich my life and vice versa. It seems there will be some flexibility in managing my own schedule. I get the vibe that Thriveworks wants its employees to be happy, so that the clients are happier.

Nature. I like how even "invasive weeds" can be beautiful flowers to put in a vase. I like how even people that seem to be Can·tan·ker·ous can have lovely relationships once you appreciate their inner beauty. and show them how to display themselves appropriately.

They hopefully understand this is a collaborative process and if I have an idea they do not like, they should let me know so we can come up with something else. I will also be asking a lot of questions that seem nosy but it is important for me to get a good assessment and diagnosis in order to develop a proper treatment plan.

My first supervisor told me to "develop rapport in the first session or they will never come back for a second session".

Depending how Thriveworks policy works, I find it helpful to offer a 15 minute complementary phone screening to help me and the client decide if we are a good fit, or if that is not possible tell them that is what we are doing in the first session. Using the phone first saves the client money but I can also do this in the first session.

I like to take nature walks. I started an indoor plant collection that is taking over the home. I like to be a "grandmother" to 2 cats so far. I like to spend time with my husband and three adult children when they are all on the same continent.

Creative. When I was in second grade I wrote a play for the class to act out called "Fair and Warner" I do not even remember what it was about but I see the picture of me dressed in yellow tights, a yellow shirt and a yellow head band. I am happiest when I am given space to be creative.

I had success with a client who thought for her whole life it was her fault that her sister died because she did not put her shoes on fast enough to go to the hospital. I liked helping her look at the bigger picture, and by realizing she is not omnipotent she went in to a career of chaplaincy.