Growing up I was always the kind of kid who people wanted to talk to when they were dealing with tough things. I became a great listener and had awesome friendships. I experienced a lot in my family growing up and lost a lot of people early on in my life, in ways that most people would only ever hear about on TV or in stories. I could have used a counselor myself back then. As I grew up, I began to see that the world was full of hurting people. I witnessed this with my own family, friends, and even people I barely knew. I went on to work in several non-profits, but the one that sticks out most to me is the 6.5 years that I spent working for St. Jude's Ranch for Children, a ranch for kids in the system waiting to be reunited with their own families or placed with new ones. I met so many awesome kids that just needed someone to love them. I am glad I got to provide that for them. That job and those kids were the final push leading me back to school and ultimately to becoming the counselor that I am today.

I am a multi-skilled counselor who has served in a variety of positions, with several different populations of people over the course of my counseling career. I have a wealth of experience working children and teens, experience in working with addictions, women's and men's issues, as well as with families. I thrive when working with people who are experiencing self-harm and crisis situations, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief/loss, and difficulties adjusting to changes/challenges in their day to day lives. I have worked in the school setting with students dealing with a wide range of diagnoses such as Autism, ADHD, emotional disturbance, learning disabilities, adjustment disorders, and more. I am confident in my abilities to help people become happier, healthier versions of themselves at all stages of life 6 years of age and up.

I really enjoy working with children, teens, and adults. I am confident in my abilities to help people become happier, healthier versions of. I thrive best working with clients who are ready for change and willing to put in the work to make that change happen in life. Dedication to the process is important as well as willingness to try new things.

Counseling is not about someone giving you the answers to fix your life or to fix you. It is a process of self-discovery and becoming the version of yourself you seek to be. Counseling is a process, and it takes time and dedication from both the client and the counselor. Both must be willing to give 110% for the process to be effective. Counseling is not meant to be scary or judgmental in any way. It is a judgement free zone where a person can express their thoughts and feelings knowing that they are safe to do so. I assure you that I will be there with you along the way and will invest time for you while you invest time for you, as you work to become the happier, healthier version of person you are seeking to be.

I saw a growing need in our community and our world, especially after Covid hit. Everything became different and people had trouble adjusting to the changing world that we live in now. Thriveworks cares about their clients and clinicians and takes time to answer questions and put in the work.

What inspires me is seeing the change people can make in their own lives simply by having someone who is willing to listen to them and sit with them in some of their darkest moments in life. I’m inspired by people who don’t just complain about needing change but actually create that change through their hard work and dedication. I am inspired by the love and compassion that people have for one another and their willingness to step out and help each other. I am inspired by seeing growth in people’s lives over time and watching their goals and dreams come true.

The first session is really all about getting to know one another, building that rapport and trust, and establishing a safe and judgement free environment in which each person wants to be a part of the process they are about to embark on.

We will get to know each other better, talk about what you are hoping to get from this process (what led you to seek help), what your goals are, and how we will work to achieve these things together in counseling.

I am a person-centered therapist who believes that the direction the counseling process takes is based solely on what the client is needing and wanting. I am truly empathetic and understanding and will work hard to help you become the happier, healthier version of yourself that you are seeking to be, however I do expect that you will put in the work as well. If you don't then the counseling process will not be successful. Please come willing to work and achieve your goals and dreams. Together we will get there.

Gardening, cooking, baking, tending to my animals, singing (I love music), dancing, playing games (puzzles, video games, card games, board games), building Legos and doing diamond paintings, arts and crafts, and spending time with my children and family (arcades, amusement parks, waterparks, camping, watching movies, going to concerts, etc.).

Family - I take great pride in my family and consider myself to be a very family oriented person.