About

PROFESSIONAL MISSION

My professional mission is to facilitate clients’ ability to live their best lives; to gain clarity on their own vision; and identify/transcend limiting beliefs that may be slowing their progress.

Professional counselors should be encouraging, challenging, compassionate, and organized. I support my clients and present myself as an ally. I challenge clients to transcend limiting beliefs and work with them in developing self-efficacy and confidence.

THEORETICAL ORIENTATION

Being existential/humanistic is my theoretical orientation. As such, I help clients focus on their authenticity and skill development within a respectful, empathic environment. My belief that people have tremendous potential enables me to be optimistic about their possibilities of becoming happy with their lives and I am very respectful of the role I play in their development.

EDUCATIONAL AND WORK BACKGROUND

I received my Doctorate in Counselor Education from Auburn University, my Master’s of Science in Community Counseling from the University of South Alabama and my Bachelor of Science in Human Development at the University of Alabama. While at Auburn University pursuing the doctorate, I received the national Graduate Student of the Year Award (Glen Hubele) from the American Counseling Association.

I published over two dozen research papers in professional peer-reviewed journals and contributed to a book, a book chapter, and encyclopedia entries on various topics of human relations training, human sexuality, and public health. Published work has appeared in professional journals such as the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern Medical Journal, The Journal of Counseling and Development, and The Family Journal. I have presented and contributed to more than 80 research presentations at international, national, and regional meetings.

My research and evaluation work associated with adolescent pregnancy prevention was supported by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. My collaborative work with community groups to extend research to facilitate adolescent pregnancy prevention was chosen by the National Campaign to Prevent Teenage Pregnancy as a national case study to demonstrate the effectiveness of promoting science through university/agency collaboration.

I retired as Associate Professor in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of South Alabama. I held this appointment since 2007 and now teach counseling students part-time. I have 10 years experience in higher education administration. I joined the Department of Professional Studies in the College of Education as an Assistant Professor in 2001 and earned the rank of associate professor in 2007 with a joint appointment in the College of Education and the School of Continuing Education and Special Programs. Prior to the faculty position, I was Counselor at USA in Counseling and Testing Services. I have maintained a private practice since 1998.

In summary, I am licensed in Alabama with 20 + years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & intimacy related issues.

I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and this in itself is one of your personal strengths.

Note: I am licensed in the state of Alabama, United States. I am happy to receive clients from Alabama. I do not offer services to individuals from other states or countries. Ethically, professional counselors are mandated to protect our clients from harm and ensure they are receiving the most appropriate care. If there is a problem in another region, my ability to reach out to help would be severely restricted.