LPC, 17 years of experience
I am a licensed Professional Counselor in the states of Georgia and Alabama. My focus areas of practice are anxiety, depression, identity development, academic and career stress, relationship social skills, trauma, and resilience building. My therapeutic approach is strengths-based educational counseling. My approach to therapy is the holistic integrative counseling approach that combines evidence-based practices with a focus on the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. It draws from multiple therapeutic frameworks, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), person-centered therapy, and mindfulness-based practices, to create a personalized and flexible approach tailored to each client's needs. My client's focus in counseling is on adolescents and young adults, with a strong emphasis on helping them achieve academic success, develop leadership skills, build resilience, and foster personal growth. My communication style is empathetic and supportive by building trust through active listening, validating emotions, and creating a safe, non-judgmental space. I was attempting a career as a therapist because my mother was a school counselor, and I saw the effect that she had on her students. I wanted to do the same thing in my community. What drove me to this work is being able to see people doing better. My approach to goal setting with clients is by using a SMART goals framework. Use the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound to help clients set clear and actionable goals.
My clients should expect a warm welcome and introduction, collaboration, goal exploration, building trust and connection, establishing initial goals, discussing the counseling process, providing immediate support, and encouraging feedback.
Empathic Listening and Emotional Attunement I create a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel seen, heard, and understood. My ability to attune to their emotional needs helps foster strong therapeutic alliances and promotes healing. Integrating Clinical Insight with Faith-Based Values I blend evidence-based approaches like CBT with Christian counseling principles to support clients holistically—mind, body, and spirit. This allows clients to grow both emotionally and spiritually. Cultural Competence and Relational Sensitivity I understand the importance of culture, family dynamics, and generational patterns. I work with clients from diverse backgrounds and help them navigate identity, belonging, and interpersonal challenges with sensitivity. Strong Assessment and Treatment Planning Skills I am skilled at identifying core issues and structuring clear, goal-oriented treatment plans that guide both individual and couples therapy sessions with intentionality and progress tracking. Calm Under Pressure and Emotionally Grounded I remain centered even when working with high-conflict couples, crisis situations, or emotionally dysregulated clients. This allows me to model emotional regulation and maintain therapeutic safety. Commitment to Growth and Ethical Excellence I am deeply committed to professional development, clinical integrity, and providing care that is both compassionate and ethically sound. I consistently seek feedback, training, and supervision to refine my craft.
Individuals Seeking Healing from Trauma or Anxiety Clients who are ready to process past emotional wounds, childhood trauma, or recent life stressors, especially those experiencing anxiety, overthinking, or emotional dysregulation. They may struggle with self-worth, trust, and relational fears, and desire tools to reclaim peace, confidence, and purpose. Couples Facing Relational Conflict or Disconnection Partners committed to improving their relationship through honest communication, emotional accountability, and rebuilding trust. This includes couples dealing with infidelity, blended family stress, emotional distance, or faith-based value differences. Clients Motivated by Faith-Based or Christian Counseling Individuals or couples who desire to incorporate biblical principles and spiritual guidance into therapy. They are open to prayer, Scripture-based insight, and aligning emotional healing with their faith walk. Young Adults and Adults in Life Transitions Those navigating changes such as career shifts, loss, family conflict, parenthood, or identity development. They often seek direction, stability, and strategies for making healthy decisions and building resilience. Clients Seeking Accountability with Behavioral or Emotional Patterns Individuals who struggle with anger management, impulsivity, or compulsive behaviors and are committed to developing self-awareness and control. They are often seeking structure, understanding of triggers, and long-term transformation.
1. Cognitive Restructuring for Anxiety (F41.1) Use: Teach each partner (especially the one with GAD) to recognize automatic thoughts tied to fear, worry, or catastrophizing. Practice: Guide them to challenge irrational beliefs (“If I’m not in control, everything will fall apart”) and replace them with balanced alternatives. Example: “I’m not lovable because I get anxious” → “My anxiety doesn’t define my worth or how much my partner loves me.” 2. Behavioral Activation for Disconnection (Z63.0) Use: Encourage the couple to engage in shared enjoyable activities and routines that foster emotional closeness. Practice: Set goals for weekly bonding activities that counter avoidance and emotional distance. 3. Communication Skills Training Use: Introduce CBT-informed strategies like the "assertiveness triangle" (owning thoughts, feelings, and needs). Practice: Use role-playing to help the couple communicate thoughts and feelings without blaming or avoiding. 4. Identifying Core Beliefs & Relationship Schemas Use: Explore core beliefs such as “I am unworthy” or “I always have to fix everything,” which drive anxiety and relational tension. Practice: Help the couple recognize how these beliefs shape their behavior in conflict and intimacy. 5. Psychoeducation Use: Normalize the role of thoughts in emotional experience. Explain the CBT model (thoughts → feelings → behaviors). Practice: Use worksheets and thought logs to help clients track patterns and triggers over time. In my practice, I use CBT to help couples identify the negative thought patterns that contribute to both emotional dysregulation and relationship strain. With clients who experience anxiety, I work to break the cycle of avoidance and catastrophic thinking by introducing cognitive reframing and exposure techniques. In couples work, I help partners recognize how their thinking errors and unmet core needs influence how they show up in conflict. We use structured tools like communication scripts, thought records, and behavioral assignments to build new habits that support emotional safety and connection.
1. Renewing the Mind (Romans 12:2) CBT Parallel: Just as CBT focuses on identifying and changing distorted thinking, Christian counseling emphasizes the biblical concept of "renewing the mind." Use in Practice: Help clients challenge unhelpful thought patterns through both cognitive tools and Scripture. Example: Replace “I’m not enough” with both a CBT-based reframe and a truth like “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). 2. Faith-Based Anxiety Management (Philippians 4:6-7) CBT Parallel: CBT helps manage anxiety by restructuring worry-based thinking and building coping skills. Use in Practice: Encourage clients to bring their anxiety to God in prayer, while also using CBT techniques such as journaling worries, exposure, and problem-solving. Example: Teach clients to pair breathing exercises with Scripture meditation or calming worship music. 3. Couples Communication Guided by Grace and Truth (Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 3:13) CBT Parallel: CBT uses assertive communication training and problem-solving to build healthy interactions. Use in Practice: Help couples communicate with both truth (clarity and honesty) and grace (kindness, forgiveness), rooted in biblical instruction. Use “I statements,” active listening, and conflict resolution exercises informed by biblical values. 4. Spiritual Identity and Worth CBT Parallel: CBT addresses negative core beliefs like “I’m a failure” or “I’m unlovable.” Use in Practice: Anchor identity in God's truth—helping clients replace distorted self-talk with Scripture-based affirmations. Example: “I’m not good enough” → “God’s grace is sufficient for me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). 5. Prayer, Scripture, and Devotional Assignments Use in Practice: Assign spiritually integrated homework such as: Writing prayers of release or gratitude Memorizing verses related to fear, love, and peace Reading devotionals on marriage, trust, or emotional healing In my counseling practice, I integrate Christian values with CBT techniques to support clients in aligning their thoughts and behaviors with both psychological wellness and spiritual growth. With couples, I help them explore how anxiety and distorted beliefs affect their relationship, while also guiding them to communicate with love, respect, and biblical truth. I use Scripture, prayer, and faith-based reflection alongside evidence-based tools to promote healing that is both clinical and Christ-centered.