LPCC, 12 years of experience
"Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it. ~Tori Amos Over the past ten years, I have had the privilege of working with individuals facing challenges related to addiction, depression, anxiety, and life transitions. Through this work, I’ve come to understand that everyone encounters struggles at some point in their journey—and in those moments, what people often need most is someone who will truly listen. I’ve been honored to walk alongside my clients on their path to healing, witnessing their growth as they move toward becoming the version of themselves they’ve long desired to be. I come from a large family in eastern Kentucky and currently live with my spouse, along with our dog and cat. I earned my Master’s degree later in life, an experience that deepened my empathy and perspective. In sessions, I focus on the here and now, meeting each client where they are emotionally and mentally. My approach is grounded in understanding, patience, and the belief that healing often happens one step at a time—and I’m here to walk that journey with you.
In our first session together, clients can expect a warm, welcoming, and nonjudgmental space. We'll spend time getting to know each other and begin building a foundation of trust. I’ll ask questions to better understand what brings you to therapy, your personal history, and what goals you hope to achieve. This session is also a chance for you to ask questions and get a sense of my approach to therapy. I take things at your pace—there’s no pressure to share more than you’re comfortable with. My goal is to create a supportive environment where you feel heard, respected, and understood from the very beginning. Together, we’ll begin outlining a path forward that feels manageable and meaningful for you. We will do an assessment which will guide your plan of treatment.
One of my greatest strengths as a provider is my ability to genuinely listen and create a space where clients feel safe, accepted, and understood. I bring empathy and patience to each session, which allows clients to open up at their own pace. My personal and professional experiences have deepened my understanding of the challenges people face—whether it’s addiction, mental health struggles, or navigating major life transitions. I’m also grounded and practical in my approach, helping clients focus on what’s happening in the present while working toward long-term healing and change. I believe in walking alongside my clients—not in front of them—offering steady support, honest reflection, and encouragement every step of the way.
I am best positioned to serve individuals who are navigating challenges related to substance use disorders and addiction. Many of the clients I work with are seeking support as they confront the emotional, psychological, and behavioral aspects of addiction and recovery. In addition to substance use concerns, I also support individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, and life transitions—whether that's adjusting to a new phase of life, or finding new direction after a major change. My approach is grounded in empathy, practical support, and a strong belief in each person's capacity for growth and change. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore their struggles, gain insight, and take meaningful steps toward healing.
I draw on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as it is proven to be beneficial in treatment by assisting individuals make lasting changes by addressing the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Its strength lies in being structured, goal-oriented, and evidence-based, which makes it effective for a wide range of mental health and behavioral conditions. CBT allows the client to feel empowered to not only make the changes in their life they feel need to be made, but it also presents an effective path to attain the benefits from those changes. I find that with CBT a person can first identify their issues, then they can learn ways of rethinking in regard to this issue, which will then aid in behavioral changes such as making more positive choices in their life.
Gestalt therapy (GT) tends to focuses on helping individuals take responsibility for their behavior and make better choices to meet their needs. It is based on the belief which emphasizes that while we can't control others, we can control our own behavior and thinking. I find that before a person can focus on their past issues, they must first focus on their present, which is right in from of them.
I tend to have the ability to have a flexible approach to therapy, where I can draw from various therapeutic techniques to create a tailored treatment plan which is individualized to fit the specific client's needs. This flexibility allows for a more personalized and potentially effect approach to positive mental health care outcomes.