I grew up in a household that bred trauma, and like any good child, I learned to stuff it inside and pretend it never happened. As I got older, there were things in my life that weren’t quite right, such as my ability to trust others, my self-esteem, and my healthy relationships. But I shrugged it all off. It wasn’t until the death of both of my children that I realized how wounded I was and that I needed help. Counseling literally saved my life. Man, it was a scary step to take, but it has been the best thing I’ve ever done, and I’m still a work in progress. Knowing the power of counseling, the comfort of having a safe and confidential person to talk to, and the healing that can be found, I wanted to share it with others. There was no question in my mind, I wanted to be a counselor.

Being asked what kind of people I work best with is a hard question to answer. I want to say, “people,” but that doesn’t really narrow it down. Maybe it’s not really the type of client I work best with, but I love working with clients who are just themselves, raw, honest, and real. I know it takes a while to grow into that in counseling, and I love seeing that growth! 

I wish that every client realized that taking care of their mental health is no different than brushing their teeth, taking their blood pressure medicine, or managing their diabetes. Health is health, whether it be emotional, mental, spiritual, or physical. When we take care of ourselves holistically, we find the healing, resilience, and strength we so desperately search for. The truth is, health is already inside of us. We just need help sometimes getting it out.

There is an old saying, “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” During our first session and following, we will take time to get to know one another. After all, to provide you with the best possible care, I need to listen to you, get to know you, and see you as you are. It takes time to trust someone, and I know that. It’s my job to earn that trust. That’s why I feel those first few sessions are so important: take the time to create a safe and caring place where you can be comfortable, even laugh or cry if you want, and simply know you’re with someone who really does care for you just the way you are!

There are many experiences in life that mold and shape us. From our childhood to right now, as you read this, we are like a piece of clay being formed by a potter. As I look back on my life, to my abusive childhood, the challenges that came with that throughout the years, to the death of my children, I have learned one major thing that is the foundational principle in my life. Though we are all different in so many, many ways, we need each other. We can’t do life without each other. I am not at my best without other people. I cannot live alone on an island alone. This has shaped my life’s journey. It has become the very passion and desire of my heart to see the dignity and goodness that lives inside every person and to be there with them. Simply to be there with them and for them. 

Counseling is not about the counselor; it’s about you. As I listen and attune to your needs, as you guide the session where we need to go, I will use the tools, skills, and abilities taught to me throughout the years to support your individual needs, growth, and healing. We’re all different. That’s the beauty and art of counseling! By following the client, the competent counselor can adjust and correct their course throughout the session, ensuring that the client's mental and emotional health needs come first and that their treatment is specifically tailored to their healing journey.