Hello. I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor currently based on Georgia. I have a Master of Science in Applied Psychology from Francis Marion University. I am a member of Psi Chi national honor society and the American Psychological Association. I have been practicing in public and private agencies for 17 years. I help individuals discover their strengths and build the skills and supports needed to survive trauma, bad relationships and mental health challenges. My goal is to journey with each client as he/she/they learn to (ultimately) thrive in spite of the obstacles they face.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
During our first session, we will get to know each other and work to identify the key areas you want to address in therapy. I am eager to learn as much as I can about you, but we must pace ourselves. We won't cover it all this first encounter. Consider me the ONLY first date you've had where you don't have to stress over your appearance or level of success.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Although I have acted as a counselor in inpatient and outpatient settings, my experience in community mental health provided me the greatest opportunity to connect with individuals from different backgrounds. I have been on opposite ends of the spectrum, from a state hospital to a private psychiatry practice. This included successful people dealing with grief, rising professionals and those struggling with adjusting to an empty nest or retirement. Through the years, I have learned to be flexible in my approach to people regardless of the areas of challenge. As a therapist, I am called to treat all people with dignity and respect, but that is just the frame of the therapeutic relationship. With any level of difficulty, illness or dysfunction, I can still assess for strengths that we will build on during our sessions. I continually challenge myself to think outside the box and to be willing to learn. I consider myself an optimist and a realist. I believe that people can and do change. No one is beyond help if they have one ounce of hope. Favorite quote: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”—Eleanor Roosevelt