I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and a Nationally Certified Counselor. I have worked in detox and residential substance use where helping individuals transition to clean, sober living was the primary goal, as well as working to process trauma, build healthy routines and skills for recovery, and learning to live a satisfying life. Working home-based, family services to help individuals develop skills, strategies, and learning to make use of both personal and community resources provided me with an opportunity to see how families can engage with one another in a more real-world setting. This helped with considering a person’s story and context with which they live, and not just symptoms to be treated, but that a holistic approach helps with sustained change.

After moving to a community mental health provider for adults, I was able to better connect with psychiatric staff and to be able to learn more about the biology side of mental health, which can also offer life-changing results. Moving on to contractual work, I met with teens, adults, couples, and families. I was able to get more experience with relationships and couples/marriages, as well as work and school stress, coping with losses, and existential and identity issues. Returning to community mental health, I found myself working with individuals and families again, working to find ways to cope with disabilities, difficult family interactions, or ways to get connected to resources that could help with meeting their needs.

In my time working as a counselor, I have worked in a variety of environments with diverse individuals. Whether working in a group or individually my knowledge, experiences, and faith have helped me to serve those seeking assistance.