I started my journey to become a therapist at UNC-Chapel Hill, where I earned a Bachelors of Science in Psychology. I knew I wanted to help people, but unsure of what direction to go with my graduate degree, I decided to take a two year position at a wilderness residential program for teens. Those two years afforded me an incredible foundational experience and I gained first hand knowledge of trauma, human resilience, human development, and the power of relationships. I witnessed how impactful a nurturing, empowering environment can be for molding self-image and self-worth. This foundational understanding, that we often hold deep limiting beliefs about ourselves that can be changed under the the right conditions, informs much of my work today.

Because of this experience, I decided to pursue clinical social work for my graduate studies. This field of clinical work uniquely incorporates systems and individual work within the training program. I completed my Masters of Social Work (MSW) in 2000, and became licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) within three years.

During my career, I have worked in multiple settings. I have a broad range of training, knowledge of systems, and experience in different levels of clinical work. Some of my most influential work experiences have been in a hospital, a school, and as an outpatient therapist.

I worked on multiple behavioral units within a hospital setting, including the inpatient adult psychiatric unit, the chemical detoxification unit, the Adult Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), the Adult Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), and an adolescent Day Treatment Program. This experience left me with a deep understanding and knowledge of clinical mental health issues and treatment options. I am able to help my clients more confidently today because of the years I spent treating and helping people navigate significant mental illness and substance abuse. I worked with people on the spectrum of illness from crisis to stabilization and long-term recovery.

After working with adults for more than a decade, I turned my focus towards children and young adolescents. I started as an outpatient therapist for middle schoolers, and transitioned to a position as a school social worker at a K-4th grade school. This role held special value for me, as I was able to form long-term relationships with students and families. I enjoyed working with a wide range of needs and functioning levels in both the general education and the special education setting. I witnessed in real time the impact families and parents have on their children’s growth and development. I developed skills in behavior management, how to work with clients at different stages of human development, neurodivergence, and how to navigate an education system.

Most recently, I have turned my career focus towards individual therapy for adults and teens. I enjoy being able to work with people who are motivated for change and eager to take action to feel better. I strive to continuously improve my clinical skills by attending trainings that I feel are needed to help me provide excellent care to my clients. Most recently, I completed full certification in EMDR through Evergreen, and I am EMDR trained through EMDRIA (31 credit hours).