My Approach. 

I provide general counseling, but I have a specialty in treating trauma, abuse, and PTSD.  I'm trained in three evidence-based  therapies for treating the effects of trauma (evidence-based means they have been shown to be effective through rigorous research studies).  During your first appointments, we'll determine the plan for your therapy.  Some approaches emphasize talking, while others have very little talking. Some use creative elements and story, while others work directly to treat your brain. Often, it takes as little as 3-5 hours to notice a significant difference.

My Goal.

I want to help you find healing. Trauma and grief can mess with your daily functioning, your ability to feel emotions, and your relationships with others. Let's reconnect your mind, body, and emotions so that the real you can live in the real world without fear. 

My Clients.

I've worked with children, teens, and adults. They've been survivors of physical abuse, sexual abuse, assault, cancer, accidents, addiction, loss, and everyday stress. They are moms, dads, foster kids, veterans, law enforcement, clergy, and everything in between.

The ups and downs in life can be unexpected and difficult. I believe that the support of one caring person can have a significant impact. Over the past 30 years, I have strived to partner with my clients to help them address, better understand, and cope with challenging life situations.

My specialty is treating trauma. I have been practicing Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) since 2009. Along with teaching relaxation, mindfulness, and coping skills, I support clients in better recognizing and effectively dealing with anxiety, depression, abuse, and post-traumatic symptoms.

I've worked with survivors of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, addiction, accidents, loss, and everyday stress. Additionally, I have extensive experience supporting those involved with the foster care system and adoption. Let me help you move towards positive change.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified as an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Nationally Certified as a Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist. I work with ages 13+.

***Accepting new patients***

Folks often come to therapy feeling disconnected from themselves. For this reason, my approach engages your story in a way that encourages reconnecting the body and mind. Whether you’re battling symptoms of depression, anxiety, existential dread, trauma, PTSD, or relational stress, I come alongside you to find hope and relief. My goal is to provide a space where your story feels honored and sacred. I look forward to earning your trust and helping you feel empowered to achieve personal healing and desired change.

My professional experience has focused on treating adults and college students  wrestling with depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse, and PTSD. I also hold experience working with adults with personality disorders. I am trained in various evidence based practices including Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

Your story deserves to be honored and at the heart of transformative therapy is a trusting relationship. Establishing and maintaining a therapeutic relationship is a passion of mine in this process, which is why I focus on making you feel seen and known in all the work we do together.

***Accepting new patients***

I have over 17 years of experience as a first responder, and have extensive training in crisis work.  I have been a crisis hostage negotiator for over 7 years, trained in both adult and youth CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) training, and am an ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Champion through the MI ACE Initiative.  I hold a certification for combat veterans, and  I have trained in several trauma informed modalities such as CBT, EMDR, and CPT however, the most recent is a form of neurolinguistic processing that does not require any conversation about your traumatic event(s) and works in as little as 2 hours!! 

While I work with ALL adults and adolescents, I specialize in first responders (law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, corrections, dispatchers, medical examiners, prosecutors, doctors/surgeons, nurses, etc) and veterans/active service members, their spouses, and families. 

While there is still a stigma with asking for help, the first responder culture has an even larger wall to conquer, where it can quite literally mean the difference between life and death!  

I provide general counseling however, I specialize in trauma, PTSD, grief/loss and moral injury.  I utilize a combination of modalities to ensure the best results.  Additionally, I provide confidentiality so that you can focus on healing rather than worry about possible repercussions.  My goal is to help you heal so that you can enjoy everything life has to offer you. 

See my Psychology Today Profile here. See my Therapy Den Profile here.

People attend therapy for many reasons. Often, they have a sense that all is not well, even if they don’t have language to explain what they feel or why. I believe that honoring this knowing is one of the bravest things we can do and is an essential step in recovering a sense of well-being.

My role as a therapist is to join with clients to explore the beliefs, hopes, fears, and struggles that are all part of what it means to be human. My approach is primarily relational, building a foundation of trust and safety in the therapeutic relationship, which is necessary for change and growth. I believe each person is the expert in their story, and work to help clients connect to their authentic selves and the resources they already possess.

I have a Master’s in Clinical Social Work from WMU, where I earned a trauma specialization. I have worked with adults dealing with complex trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions as well as couples seeking relationship growth or help with relationship challenges. I also completed a Certificate in Narrative Focused Trauma Care and spent 15 years leading groups designed to help people explore their stories of trauma.

I work with ages 21+, both individuals and couples. If you are interested in the possibility of working together, feel free to contact me to set up an appointment, or schedule a free, 15-minute phone consultation to see if we might be a good fit.

See my Psychology Today profile here.