LCMHC, 10 years of experience
As a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS), Military & Family Life Counselor (MFLC), Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), and holder of a B.S. in Health & Fitness Specialist, I offer a whole-person, integrated approach to healing. I'm also a combat veteran who knows firsthand the pain, isolation, and uncertainty that come with trauma, disability, and major life transitions. I’ve felt stuck, lost purpose, and fought to rebuild. Through the same services I now offer—counseling, rehabilitation, fitness, and career support—I reclaimed my life. Now, it’s my mission to help others do the same. Credentials & Core Services LCMHC – I provide mental health counseling to help individuals manage trauma, anxiety, depression, and stress while building emotional resilience. LCAS – I support recovery from substance use and co-occurring disorders with evidence-based care. MFLC – I deliver short-term, solution-focused counseling to service members and their families, aiding with deployment, reintegration, and transitions. CRC – I assist individuals with disabilities in vocational rehabilitation, career counseling, and return-to-work planning. Health & Fitness Specialist – I integrate physical wellness into treatment, recognizing the role of movement and strength in healing—especially for veterans and trauma survivors. My Mission I serve the whole person—mind, body, and purpose. Whether supporting mental health, guiding addiction recovery, navigating career change, or rebuilding physical strength, I meet each client where they are. I bring not only clinical expertise but lived experience, empathy, and a deep belief in the power of healing. This is more than a profession—it’s a calling. I walk beside others the way someone once walked beside me—with strength, compassion, and hope.
Your first counseling session is designed to help you feel comfortable, supported, and understood as we begin working together. We’ll start with a brief review of confidentiality, informed consent, and the structure of therapy. I’ll answer any questions you may have about how counseling works, what my role is, and what you can expect from me as your therapist. From there, we’ll spend time exploring what brings you in—whether that’s a specific concern, a life transition, or simply wanting to understand yourself better. I’ll ask some open-ended questions about your background, current challenges, strengths, and goals. You’re welcome to share as much or as little as feels right; there’s no pressure to have all the answers on day one. The first session is less about “fixing” something immediately and more about getting to know you and laying the groundwork for a collaborative relationship. We’ll begin to identify priorities and possible goals for therapy so you leave with a sense of direction. By the end of your first session, you can expect to have: - A clear understanding of how therapy works with me - A safe, confidential space where you are respected and supported - An initial plan or next steps for moving forward together The goal of this first meeting is for you to walk away feeling heard, understood, and hopeful about the process ahead.
My greatest strength as a therapist is my ability to create a safe, welcoming space where clients feel genuinely heard and respected. I quickly build trust and rapport, which allows for open dialogue and meaningful progress. My approach blends empathy with practical strategies, drawing on person-centered, motivational interviewing, solution-focused, and cognitive-behavioral techniques to meet each client’s unique needs. What makes my work stand out is my balance of compassion and action. I not only listen with care but also provide clients with concrete tools they can use beyond the therapy room. My style is collaborative, supportive, and results-oriented, helping clients gain clarity, resilience, and confidence as they move toward personal growth and lasting change.
I work best with individuals who find themselves at a crossroads in life—whether that’s facing new challenges, adjusting to change, or feeling weighed down by the stress of daily responsibilities. Many of my clients come to me because they know they want something to be different, but they feel stuck in patterns of worry, self-doubt, or uncertainty about how to move forward. I specialize in supporting people who are navigating stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, trauma, and life transitions. This may include students adjusting to new school environments, professionals seeking balance, parents juggling competing roles, or service members and veterans learning how to cope with unique demands. The clients who thrive most in therapy with me are those who are open to reflection and willing to actively engage in the process. You don’t need to have all the answers—that’s what we’ll work on together—but having the willingness to try new approaches and explore different perspectives makes a big difference. In our sessions, I aim to create a safe and supportive environment where you feel heard and respected. I bring both empathy and practical tools to the work we do, helping you not only process difficult emotions but also build strategies you can use every day. Whether you want to reduce anxiety, set healthier boundaries, strengthen relationships, heal from past wounds, or simply feel more grounded, my goal is to meet you where you are and walk alongside you as you move toward greater clarity and resilience. If you are seeking both compassion and practical guidance, and if you’re ready to take meaningful steps toward positive change, I am well positioned to support you on that journey.
Person-Centered Therapy I have extensive experience using Person-Centered Therapy in my counseling practice. I was first introduced to this approach during my graduate training and have continued to deepen my skills through ongoing professional development, supervision, and direct client work. In my current role as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and Military & Family Life Counselor (MFLC), I integrate Person-Centered principles when working with elementary students coping with school stress, adolescents struggling with identity development, and service members reintegrating into family life. In session, I apply this method by creating a non-judgmental environment where clients feel unconditionally accepted, using empathy and reflective listening to foster trust and encourage growth. This approach empowers clients to explore their own values, make meaning of their experiences, and build resilience. Motivational Interviewing I frequently use Motivational Interviewing (MI) with clients who are ambivalent about change. My training in MI has proven especially valuable in substance use treatment and behavioral change counseling. As an MFLC and LCAS, I apply MI when working with high-school students experimenting with vaping or alcohol, adults in recovery navigating relapse triggers, and military spouses considering lifestyle adjustments during deployment cycles. I use open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective statements, and summaries to draw out the client’s own reasons for change. This helps reduce resistance and increase commitment to positive steps that align with their values. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) I often incorporate Solution-Focused Brief Therapy when clients need short-term, goal-oriented support. This model fits well with the MFLC framework where counseling is time-limited and focused on practical strategies. I find it particularly effective with middle school students managing peer conflict, parents balancing work and childcare stress, and military families adjusting to frequent relocations. In practice, I guide clients to identify past successes, highlight existing strengths, and define small, achievable steps toward their preferred future. This gives clients a sense of hope and momentum, even in the face of challenges.