I became a counselor after being in Law Enforcement for almost 10 years. I was in a bad car accident and felt as if I could no longer partake in this career. I searched within myself and realized that all my life I have been a "caregiver". While searching for my new career I identified that my 10 years of Law Enforcement could only help me in working and understanding people. I started working with school age kids, and progressed to adults doing both individual and group sessions. I had a knack for building a strong positive rapport with people and worked on developing not only my listening skills but the different therapeutic approaches that would help different people. I love working with people and being there for them when they are at some of the most difficult times in their life.

11-60 years of age. This is difficult because I enjoy working with so many different people of all different beliefs, ages (accept geriatric), and I find that I can provide counseling to just about any diagnosis. I do find it difficult with Active Paranoid Schizophrenics because you tend to repeat the same thing over each session in order to get their thoughts and beliefs stable.

I really enjoy working with the 13-35 age group. I believe those who experience Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD are some of the clients I find special when working because you have to build a strong relationship with them in order for them to open up and trust you and your expertise.

That therapy is not an over the night fix and it takes their desire to get well along with the counselor's support to help them learn coping skills to help work through their mental health issues and concerns.

I chose Thriveworks because of the number of clients I can help, choosing my own schedule, the office being close to home, the different benefits, and the hope of support and ability to further my education such as: EMDR. I also enjoy that I will be able to help supervise individuals who want to build a career within the counseling field.

Helping others whether they are a client, colleague, or colleague in training.

During the first session during the Intake Assessment they will see a bit of my humorous side should it be warranted. They will get full attention to what they are saying and explanations pertaining to the diagnosis identified and the different therapeutic approaches that will be used during sessions. They also will understand that I am there for them and they will not go through their treatment alone.

I want to learn about them and their history. I want to help them understand their diagnosis and therapeutic approaches. I want to find out what their expectations are as well as help them understand that therapy is not an over the night cure. I want them to understand the importance of honesty and the role honesty plays in their treatment.

They should know what I have experience in such as: diagnosis' and therapeutic approaches. They should know a bit about my background both educational and employment.

During my time off I enjoy spending time with my Golden Retriever (who is my pride and joy) and my Cat (Dat, cat who thinks he is a dog). I like reading and am starting over reading a series written by JD ROBB. I am a Harry Potter fan and find it is an awesome way for me to destress. I also enjoy traveling although I haven't done much of it lately. I have wanted to go to Switzerland since I was 10 years old and I know one day I will get there.

In my home town of Clewiston, Florida I would say the things that define me would be my athletic ability and my ability to be a long time and loyal friend. I take friendship very serious.

I had this client when he turned 15 years old. He had a lot of anger, violent, and was Bipolar. He would run away from school and would walk several miles home. It took a bit to obtain trust, but once he trusted me and realized that I was there to help him and not harm him he started working positively on his different mental health issues. He is currently married to his high school sweetheart and they have 1 child together and he takes care of that child and the 3 daughters she entered the marriage with. His mother, step-father and 3 brothers all look at me as if I not only saved my client's life but his parent's marriage and am one of the family members. He is now very understanding and works well with his wife and their children. He uses the coping skills he learned during our sessions to build a positive life for himself and the rest of his family.