I am a creative person and story teller at heart, so I often use techniques common to the narrative therapy approach which can help us gain some distance from our challenges and “re-write” our story to better reflect our life dreams and goals. I believe that life doesn’t just happen to us, but we can determine the story of our life. In my education, I focused extensively on trauma and its impact on our mental health, so I always take a trauma informed approach to counseling. Of course, I know that everyone is different, so I utilize a wide range of evidence-based techniques from multiple theories to design a unique plan for each person and challenge.
I work with children, adolescents, and adults.
I know that therapy can be an intimidating process. I work to demystify the process and build a trusting relationship with everyone who comes to my office. I do this by being genuine and open in a way I hope encourages others that it is safe to be the same. I believe each of us have been wonderfully made by God (Psalm 139) for a purpose in this world, and therefore we each have intrinsic value and are deserving of respect. However, we live in a broken world where we are often wounded. Those wounds can cause dysfunction and discomfort. My role as a counselor is to help my clients use their own strengths and gifts to discover wholeness and healing from those wounds. In therapy, I take a collaborative approach. I work to be an encourager and guide as people find the strength to overcome and grow from their challenges. I enjoy working with individuals of any age, as well as couples, and families. I consider it a privilege to witness people rewrite the stories of their lives, turning pain and tragedy into victory and joy.
As a child, I was always helping wounded animals, or helping the child being bullied on the school playground. I have always experienced a strong desire to help others. I know first hand the impact trauma, addiction, and mental illness can have on a life. That is why I strive to be an agent of healing and hope in this world and have dedicated my life to helping others.
I am happily married to my partner in life and best friend. Together we have three children, one of whom recently married. Travel is our family passion. We managed to get our children to all 50 states before they graduated high school. When not working or traveling, I love singing and playing the piano, watching sci-fi, and spending time outside.
I spent the first part of my adult life working as a graphic artist and photographer, then performing in musicals, then as a travel agent, then as a pastor, and now as a full-time counselor. I have a lot of interests! If I wasn’t counseling now, I’d probably be an inspirational writer, or a singer-song-writer, or a profiler for the FBI, or fulfilling my childhood dream to be a performer on Broadway. Maybe I will still be all of these things one day! As long as I am able to help people in some way, I will be happy.
