LMHC, 12 years of experience
I am a licensed mental health counselor, based in Florida, with a Master's degree in professional counseling, emphasis on marriage and family, special populations, consulting and school counseling from Webster University, Bachelor's degree in criminology and human services from Saint Leo University and an Associate's degree in Paralegal Studies from the College of Central Florida. I am a Florida Supreme Court certified dependency mediator and credentialed instructor for the Department of Children and Families. I teach a bi-annual class on how to recognize trauma in children. I have 12 years experience as a counselor, and enjoy working with persons who have experienced ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and other traumas.
Our first session you get to tell me about you, family history, health and mental wellness, why you seek therapy and your expectations. Empathy is plentiful here. Please, don't allow the stigma associated with mental health care keep you from living your best life. "Heal Thyself," resonates with me. You have more power than you know!
I believe, it is important for the therapist to understand the cultural "language" spoken, even before a word is uttered. When a client feels they are understood, it builds trust. There are some who have been culturally conditioned to believe that therapy breaks tradition, or signifies a lack of faith. These are myths. As a therapist, I understand the importance of cultural competence. Respect is spoken here. Welcome to my place!
I help you process negative things from the past to gain insight into why you are attracted to toxic persons or unhealthy relationships. Ever wonder, why you're so angry or sad? Trauma alters the brain and can affect your outlook on life. Maybe you're struggling with abandonment and relationship issues, I can help you identify negative behaviors that keep you from moving forward. My specialties are PTSD, trauma-informed care, women's issues, conflict resolution, depression, anxiety and ADHD.
If your past experiences do not enhance, encourage or lift you, leave them on the conveyor belt of life. It is baggage.
I work from the past to the present. This helps you find out why and how events from the past affect your today.