I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Florida and co-owner of Hope in the Gale Therapeutic Healing where I provide individual and group therapy, collaborate to curate tailored wellness services, and consult on areas related to psychology and trauma. I have worked in diverse settings with youth, adults, and families as a counselor supporting clients as they strive to bolster their mental health, build resilience, and find joy in life. I also have a background in military and federal service. My 13-year military career included work as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician and Special Agent with the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations where I specialized in crimes against children and counterintelligence. I also spent ten years with the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers as a Research Psychologist, Behavioral Science Division Program Manager, and Counterterrorism Division Branch Chief. I have earned Associate of Arts Degrees from the Community College of the Air Force in both Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science, a Master of Arts in Counseling, and a PhD in International Psychology with an emphasis in Trauma Services.
Partnering with a helping professional to find solutions and seek joy in life is an important act of trust. I absolutely respect this trust and look forward to hearing from you and discussing how we may be able to work together.
I believe therapy is most effective when there is a strong partnership between counselor and client to support client goals. This means empowerment through education and collaboration on treatment goals, strategies, and progress assessment. I find true joy in this empowerment and the healing and strength that it fosters.
Life can be beautiful, amazing, and fulfilling. It can also include experiences and obstacles that cause us to feel sad, anxious, or angry. We may even lose hope. My mission is to work together with clients as they overcome those obstacles, strengthen hope, and find the joy so critical to healing and happiness. I see a wide variety of clients but have professional experience that has prepared me particularly well to work with youth and trauma survivors.
My approach to counseling is holistic, incorporating diverse strategies for services as unique as you are. I have specific experience in cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectic behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, trauma-informed interventions, and other methods. Most importantly, I am grounded in a person-centered philosophy that recognizes you as the expert in your life and seeks to empower you to make positive changes and find joy.
CBT is a foundational treatment approach that provides insight regarding the connections between our thoughts, feelings, and actions and strategies to intentionally address problems in each of those areas.
Clients appreciate how DBT provides an understanding of how to accept the reality of our lives and behaviors and learn to make positive change. There are so many skills that can be explored through DBT and used to make our lives better. Plus, DBT incorporates super mindfulness concepts that hold the potential for lasting positive impact!
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a highly structured therapy that has been extensively researched and is proven to assist in healing from trauma and to address problematic core beliefs that interfere in life functioning. I am an EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) trained clinician and tailor this method to each individual client and their needs. EMDRIA is considered the gold-standard in EMDR training worldwide.
My approach to therapy focuses on each client, the stories of their lives, and the strengths they hold within themselves. I weave these important concepts into every method is use when working with clients as they seek hope and joy.