Hello! I am a licensed Masters of Social Work Clinical Counselor based in Michigan. I received my Bachelors and Masters in Social Work from Grand Valley State University. My hope has always been to utilize my education to offer service and support to those who need a helping hand. I have worked in impatient, hospice, home care, residential, and hospital settings which has offered a wide range of knowledge in how poor mental health can negatively impact someone's life. Since 2020 I have focused my efforts on telehealth counseling which has helped me reach a population of individuals who may have not pursued therapy in the past. My goal is to be able to continue working with people who simply need a friendly and compassionate helping hand.
In our first session you can expect an opportunity to ask me questions and get to know me a little bit. If you are nervous and are unsure of what to talk about you don't have to worry as I am more than happy to lead the conversation until you are more comfortable.
As a provider I believe my greatest strength is my ability to actively listen. I listen to what my clients need and want. I listen for patterns that they may not be aware of. I listen to the emotions and help better define them with the client. It is more important to me to be attentive and focused on what is being communicated both verbally and non-verbally than any agenda I may have as a professional.
I have been trained and using the CBT modality as part of my practice for several years and have found numerous benefits in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. I introduce the modality and work with my clients on understanding the fundamentals. Once this has happened we can then start looking specifically at thought patterns and development that are unique to each client and develop an understanding of where particular habits originated followed by ways to improve or change them. I truly feel that once a person understands how to adjust their thought patterns this can have significantly positive benefit to their feelings of peace, control, and quality of life. Being able to make small incremental changes to how we interpret the world around us, how we emotionally respond, and how we react can make an incredible difference in day to day decision making, relationships, and overall contentment.
Grief Therapy has been a significant part of my career. My experience lies in primarily working with the geriatric population as well as several years with Hospice programming. In addition I have been teaching courses for Grand Valley State University for nearly a decade that focus on grief and loss. Each of us experience loss throughout our lives whether it is a loved one or simply the loss of a job, a pet, or a particular dream. Grief is a lifelong journey that we over time can learn to cope with in a healthy way.