About Me
I was born and raised in a small town in western New York state near Buffalo, NY. I love to read, and I have always loved learning new things. I was the first person in my family to go to college. I found psychology classes to be most interesting and even though I wanted to be a counselor it would be many years before I achieved this goal. After earning my bachelor’s degree, I went onto graduate school and obtained my Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Adult Learning and Development and worked for a few years as a career counselor, academic advisor, and residence hall director in colleges and universities. A temporary job developed into a 20-year career in consumer insights and marketing research during which time I worked for big corporations such as Procter & Gamble, Kraft, and Conagra Brands. In the spirit of never being too late to pursue your passion, I went back to school while working full-time and earned my Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a concentration in trauma and crisis intervention.
My first work as a therapist was at a community mental health agency where I had the pleasure of working with a diverse population of clients, across all age groups, with a variety of mental health issues. This was an invaluable experience because of the training and supervision I received as a therapist in this setting. When I moved from working in a community mental health agency to working at a private practice, I continued to expand my skillset in helping clients that have experienced trauma. I did this by obtaining training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy to help clients heal from emotional distress, anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and/or panic related to an upsetting or traumatic experience. I have a certification as a Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional and I am currently working to complete my certification as a Clinical Trauma Treatment Professional.
Therapeutic Approach
My counseling style is eclectic and draws on an integration of complementary therapeutic methods depending on what I think will work best for each individual or couple. For individual therapy, I primarily rely on Client-Centered Therapy along with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. When working with couples, I rely on a combination of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy and the Gottman method. Whether counseling individuals (aged 18 or older) or couples, I use a variety of styles and techniques in a non-judgmental atmosphere, to incorporate what is most helpful and holistic.
I view a client’s decision to engage in counseling as an act of vulnerability and empowerment. Every client has a story to tell, and it is important that they feel safe, seen, and heard. It is important for every client to find a counselor that is the right fit for them. I hope to get the opportunity to meet you, hear your story, and work together. I believe it is never too late to experience growth, healing, a sense of purpose, and feel a sense of connection to others and to your true self.
Areas of Clinical Focus
- Anxiety
- Trauma/PTSD
- Bipolar Disorder
- Anger Management
- Depression
- LGBTQIA+
- Grief & Loss
- Life Transitions
- Relationship Concerns
- Adjustment Disorders