About Me
I was raised in Belvidere, Illinois. I went to undergraduate school at Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville, where I developed my knowledge of the field of psychology along with a passion to help youth, in particular. I went on to attend graduate school at Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville, and I obtained my Master’s of Science in Clinical Child and School Psychology. During my time in graduate school, I worked as a social-emotional specialist at a HeadStart pre-school, developed my skills in assessing and diagnosing Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and worked in clinical settings providing and observing therapeutic services. I gained experience in both clinical and school settings which has helped me feel well-rounded when working with this population.
I believe it is important to establish a warm, trustworthy, and safe environment for individuals to feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and concerns. I strive to be a voice for children’s mental health and advocate for their needs while working collaboratively with their families. I aspire to work alongside clients in creating and attaining their goals and being a guide to ensure they are equipped with the right tools to help themselves. My graduate school training emphasized evidence-based practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
Areas of Specialty
Anxiety
I have experience working with generalized anxiety disorder and other related anxiety disorders. I utilize techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) along with relaxation skills to assist clients in altering their thinking and calm their bodies when experiencing intense anxiety.
Depression
I have experience working with depression and utilize cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to identify and change maladaptive thinking and identify healthier thought patterns and coping skills.
