MSW, LCSW

CLINICAL DIRECTOR

If you were to ask me when I was little what I was going to be when I grew up, I would have told you that I was going to be a social worker. At that time, I only knew that they were people that helped little kids, and I knew that I wanted to do that. As I grew up, especially during my teenage years, my own lived experiences shaped who I was and what I wanted to do. At the time, resources were tailored towards young kids and families, system-involved youth, or adults. When I felt at my most vulnerable, I also felt the most restricted to access places that could help. I still wanted to be a social worker, I just wanted to be one that worked primarily with teenagers. As I pursued education, my focus continued to narrow and ultimately, I found my groove working with youth and young people who were acutely impacted by their symptoms.

During my undergrad program, I worked with a mentor who modeled a non-judgmental and client-led approach to counseling. She once said that we are all one decision away from rock bottom; her focus was on the intentionality behind the relationship and respecting the person in front of her as the expert of their own life. What I learned from her turned into the foundation of my therapeutic approach. I continue to place a strong emphasis on the therapeutic alliance and relationship to this day. She had a strong influence on me continuing my education to graduate school where I earned my MSW and the ability to practice therapy.

My goal in the therapy room is to cultivate an environment where you feel heard, understood and supported, hopefully leading to a sense of safety. Healing happens in relationships and when you are slightly off baseline; however, it is unrealistic to expect you to willingly enter a period of slight discomfort when you don’t start from a place of trust. I pull from polyvagal theory and attachment theory foundationally and use a variety of other theories and interventions in the treatment room.

My counseling and supervision approach is relational in nature. Research says that the biggest predictor of success in therapy is the relationship that the client has with their therapist. My goal is to under-promise and over-deliver; in doing so, predictability that leads to feeling of safety. It is when someone learns what safety feels like that they can start to push the limits towards healing. Polyvagal theory, attachment, and development are at the core of my clinical foundation; however, I pull from a variety of theories throughout treatment or supervision.

It's important to me that I try to turn everything I can into an adventure; it makes things more fun that way! In a literal sense, you can often find me in the woods near a river, creek or stream, hiking through sweater trees (trees covered in moss) or camping with my family. I will impulsively jump in the car for a road trip just because I have extra free time. In a more figurative sense, I love learning through books, podcasts, or experiences. I enjoy walking through a museum or stopping along the road to read a plaque marking an important historical marker. When I'm not out adventuring, I am watching reality TV, my guilty pleasure and playing with my family.

APPROACH

My approach to therapy is relational. In our sessions, I strive to create an environment where you feel heard, understood, and supported, enabling you to navigate life's challenges and cultivate positive changes. My commitment is to work in collaboration with you, offering guidance and encouragement as you work towards achieving your self-defined goals and fostering a sense of empowerment, resilience, and healing.

Professional Background

With a diverse professional background spanning 15+ years, I have dedicated the majority of my career to supporting adolescents and their families in various capacities including: therapist, case manager, visit supervisor, assessor, program administrator, and advocate. For the past six years, I held the position of Program Director for a residential dual-diagnosis treatment program, where adolescents worked towards community reintegration and holistic recovery. The past three years, I also oversaw a full continuum of services for youth experiencing homelessness. During my time as program director, I supervised and mentored several clinicians as they worked toward licensure. It was here that I developed my passion for teaching. Prior to that, I provided outpatient therapy to young people and their families who required intensive care and treatment, provided home-based therapy for families referred through the Department of Human Services and conducted various clinical assessments for different branches of the court system. I am enthusiastic about leveraging my expertise to continue making a meaningful impact on the lives of those I serve through comprehensive and compassionate interventions.

Education Credentials

I have my Master's in Social Work (MSW) from Indiana University at Indianapolis. I have my Bachelor's in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, Wisconsin.