About

"The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step," was the quote I chose for my senior yearbook picture many years ago, and I had no idea just how encouraging those words would prove to be time and time again. Today I hope you find inspiration in them as well. Perhaps you are taking a step toward a better understanding of yourself, or maybe you are ready to embark on your recovery journey, or maybe you aren't exactly sure what you need, but you know with certainty that something has to change. Regardless of what nudged you to look into online therapy, I am grateful that you listened and are taking that vital first step to find out what this is all about and how we may be able to help you.
A little bit about me: Counseling is actually my second career. After 15 years as an elementary/middle school teacher (and the last 3 of those years as a military spouse), I decided a career/life change was in order, and here we are! As far as credentials are concerned, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (AL) and an Internationally Accredited Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IAADC). Over the past 5 years I have utilized a client-centered approach coupled with Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing techniques to help clients of all ages and in various settings (individual, couples, family, group and schools) identify and reach their wellness goals. The majority of my experience, however, has been focused on helping adults who struggle with alcohol and other drug-related concerns learn ways to understand the nature of addiction and chemical dependency, change the thought patterns and behaviors that have trapped them in a vicious cycle of defeat, and experience the joy of sobriety while coping with life on life's terms. This often includes exploring faith and beliefs and tapping into their source of hope to supplement clinical approaches to recovery. Finally, I am firm believer that I may be the clinical expert in the room, but you are the expert on you. No one on this planet knows you better than you, and we will join forces to collaboratively identify your goals and develop a plan for you to reach them no matter how many steps it takes. I look forward to working with you!