I am a helper by nature and endlessly curious about the human condition and the ways in which we interact with ourselves, each other, and the world around us. I started my career as a social worker and transitioned fairly quickly into school counseling. However, I always loved the actual counseling part of my career more than any other aspect and was drawn to expanding my scope of practice to be able to make counseling the main focus of my work.
Where I find the most joy: simply being a safe place where someone can share pieces of their story without fear of judgment or shame.
Ideally, my niche has historically been children and teens. I find the creativity and playfulness that comes with working with a younger population to be a gift. I have also worked extensively within the foster care system and care deeply about children and teens being able to work through such a difficult and traumatic experience. Further, I am continuously learning and engaging with the areas of ADHD, Anxiety, OCD, and trauma.
I always tell clients that my goal is to work myself out of a job, or in other words, I am thrilled when they are able to graduate therapy and feel capable and competent to manage on their own. I do tend to be more skills and strengths focused and hope that clients are able to gain the ability to tolerate distress and manage the difficult emotions and behaviors that accompany that distress in healthy ways.
My faith in Jesus tells me to love my neighbor and counseling is just one way I practice that calling. Jesus is God with us, and in his time with us he healed the sick, walked with the broken, and lived the beatitudes. Truly, the beatitudes is how I aim to live my life, focusing on elevating mercy, grace, and sacrificial love over power, control, or worldly wealth.
I view faith and spirituality as a personal, life long endeavor, and not something that can be forced or coerced. It is a deeply personal journey each one of us must take in our own time. I hope to meet people where they are, wherever that may be.