About

Stress affects us all today. I am grateful that technology is available to help us heal and grow during this difficult time of Covid 19. I applaud you for taking steps to improve your physical and mental health. Seeking help is a courageous act. Whether you choose art therapy or counseling, I am eager to help you set and reach goals that will enhance your life. Why not give art therapy a try?

You may wonder who could benefit from art therapy. I will tell you that no prior art training or experience is required. It is an alternative form of communication that helps people express ideas and feelings in ways that words alone cannot. Through drawing, collage, and sculpture, I have helped people understand themselves better by looking at their strengths, weaknesses, and self-concept, leading to improved insight, motivation, emotional release, and coping skills. Art makes problems visible and allows clients to view them from a new perspective. Those who are experiencing anxiety or depression, attempting to block out trauma, or dealing with serious medical issues are some examples of good candidates. As a board certified art therapist, I am aware that for some people, using particular art media is not therapeutic and leads to overwhelming feelings. I design and adapt interventions to meet your personal issues and goals at a pace you are comfortable with. Together, we will explore meaning in your art that you can use for your emotional growth. I will help you to find art media that are fun for you to use, and within your budget, while teaching you how to use them. If you decide at some point that you would rather not use art in sessions, that is OK too.

I am a licensed counselor and board certified art therapist with over 16 years of experience. I have worked in a variety of settings, helping people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds reach their goals and build confidence, while working through painful struggles in their lives. I have advanced degrees from The George Washington University in Washington, DC, and Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA and have worked in outpatient mental health, inpatient mental health, cancer care, addictions treatment, and memory care. I have also provided treatment for the military, and have lived in different areas of the United States and overseas as a military child and then as a military spouse. I am well versed in both counseling and art therapy. The theoretical approaches I draw influence from are listed below and apply to both of these approaches. I look forward to working with you.