About

Counseling: I have been a licensed counselor since 2001 (Lic # 640 100 8390). Some of my counseling work experience includes a private practice, private non-profit substance abuse clinic, an adolescent residential facility, a private inpatient addiction recovery center for adults, a private nonprofit community clinic, the Ionia County Health Department, and Michigan Department of Corrections.

I specialize in addiction, mood disorders like depression and anxiety, and Trauma/PTSD work. I offer DBT informed treatment at this time. I have an eclectic counseling style leaning towards CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) which says if you change your thoughts you can change your emotions. It is a simple, but powerful, idea that helps us to manage emotions better and change negative thought patterns.

I have served three years as an AmeriCorps/AmeriCorps*VISTA member; working within my community (Ionia and Montcalm Counties) to fight poverty by helping people access benefits and resources. (Think of the Peace Corps, but locally).

If you, or someone you care about, is struggling with mental health or addiction issues I can help. If someone you DON'T care about is struggling I can still help them.

I accept most insurances, including BCBS and Meridian, as well as private pay. I can work with anyone, but I prefer working with patients ages ten and up. Disclaimer: I am currently unable to accept patients who are employed by MDOC or currently involved within the MDOC system, either on probation or parole.

Consulting
In my role as a counselor I am often an educator, to patients and to colleagues. I am offering consultation, and eventually clinical supervision, to mental health professionals or professionals in training. I hope to be able to consult individually, in groups, and eventually provide workshops on important mental health topics to groups or employers. This is all still a newly hatched work in progress, so please message or call me if you have a need. If I can’t help I will help you find the person who can!