Hi, I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor (LCMHCS) and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS) in the state of North Carolina. I received a master's degree in counseling, along with a graduate certificate in substance abuse counseling, from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2010. While in graduate school, I decided to specialize in Motivational Interviewing (MI) when I discovered how well the “spirit of MI” (partnership, acceptance, compassion, and empowerment) fit with my perception of how we change and grow. Since then, I have had the opportunity to participate in several advanced MI training workshops facilitated by some of the originators of this powerful approach to facilitating change. By incorporating the components mentioned above into our counseling relationship, along with a wide variety of evidence-based approaches as needed, a collaboration is created where we work as a team to identify and build on your strengths, restructure any self-limiting beliefs, increase confidence, and progress towards the accomplishment of your goals. I started my private practice soon after graduation and have had the privilege of being part of the change process in countless lives over the past 14 years.
In our first session we will have a conversation and get to know each other. It is important for you to feel comfortable and to know my genuine desire to have a deep understanding of your experience and perspective. From there, we will begin working together to formulate a plan to address whatever change(s) you wish to experience in your life.
A common theme in feedback I have received from my clients over the years is that they experience me as genuinely invested, warm, and collaborative. Clients also often say that they leave our sessions feeling motivated and ready to take positive action.
I view MI as a guiding style of communication that fosters a collaborative counseling relationship while enhancing one’s capacity for change and growth. We will work as a team to explore paths toward accomplishing goals established at the beginning of and during our counseling journey. MI also works well with a variety of evidence-based approaches that we may tailor to meet your needs along the way.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is recognized as an evidence based treatment that is proven to be helpful with a variety of issues including PTSD, anxiety, depression, addiction and other distressing life experiences. I recently completed an intensive EMDR training and am now providing, with ongoing consultation, this highly effective treatment.