– Maya Angelou

I began attending college when my daughter was a senior in high school, and my journey has taken me through 7 years of college, 10 years of working in residential dual diagnosis treatment centers, and more than 10 years in private practice. I am currently licensed in three states and work with individuals that struggle with mood challenges such as anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder, substance use disorder, grief and loss, and domestic abuse. I have an intimate knowledge of 12-step programs and believe everyone is capable of positive growth.

I was introduced to the field of Occupational Clinical Social Work and found the ethics and values to be in alignment with my own. An important aspect of my field is an individual’s right to self-determination. I seek to empower clients to do just that. I have had brilliant mentors and guides helping me along the way.

Participating in therapy can be scary and takes a great deal of courage. The old saying goes, “If we didn’t have fear, we wouldn’t need courage”. The process of psychotherapy begins with building trust and safety within the therapeutic relationship and then collaborating to identify your challenges and work toward your desired goals. Walking through the process of change can overcome the obstacles that prevent experiencing freedom and peace of mind. We simply need to learn what to do and how to do it.

Often a very complicated distressing situation can be simplified to a manageable level. It is important not to judge yourself for attempting to resolve issues alone. There are benefits from being brave enough to ask for help.

In the course of my career, I have had the privilege of witnessing many individuals improve their quality of life. When not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing in the water, reading, watching movies, cooking, and driving my Old Harley Davidson Springer Softail on the beautiful Parkway in North Carolina.