I hold a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Huntington University (May, 2012) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Liberty University (March, 2009). I began my work in the field during my graduate internships at a free community counseling clinic, private practice, and university undergraduate counseling center. My post graduate experience includes working in a community mental health center working primarily with children involved with the Department of Child Services and in a residential treatment center for at risk youth. I worked in areas of juvenile behavior, life-skills development, peer relations, anger management, and problem resolution. Areas of training include Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, trauma informed care, and Tier 1Star Behavioral Health training to work with military members and their families. I have over 2 years of professional counseling experience.
I have experience working with adolescents and adults in individual, group, couples, and family settings. Areas of treatment have surrounded personal, behavioral, emotional, relationship, and family difficulties, as well as working with clients with histories of addiction and trauma.
I strive to provide a safe environment in which the client can explore troubling issues, gain insight into life problems and patterns, and work to improve self esteem and confidence. I practice from a client centered approach and focus on working with the mindset that the mind, body, and spirit are vital to care for. Depending on the client’s individual needs, I will use different methods of therapy. Most sessions will focus on self-awareness, choice, problem solving, and setting goals for the present and future. Other areas of counseling may include focusing on responsibility, meaning of life, his/her strengths and limitations, self-concept, acceptance, and change. Outside of session, there may be homework assignments such as reading, journal-writing, art, or other methods of self expression and discovery. The process and content of the assignments will be followed up in counseling sessions for the development of self-awareness and healing. I will challenge the client in a caring and empathetic manner to look at him/her self and seek alternative options and strategies for handling life.
I believe a trusting working relationship between counselor and client is important and I strive to achieve that collaboration. I am comfortable working with individuals from diverse cultures and lifestyles and feel being accepting, respectful, genuine, and objective are vital elements in working with clients. Overall, counseling is a process in which the individual gains knowledge and tools that will facilitate continued growth and development after therapy has ended.
Additional areas of focus: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Parenting issues, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder