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