Qualifications: In 1997 I earned a Bachelors of Science in Education from the University of Akron. I was conferred in 2002 with a Master’s of School Administration degree in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In addition, in June 2012, I completed a Masters in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from North Carolina State University. I have earned the title of National Certified Counselor (NCC #297932) and Licensed Professional Counselor (9615) in the state of North Carolina. In addition, I hold licensure as a Teacher of Exceptional Children (K-12) and Principal (K-12) in the state of North Carolina. My formal education has qualified me to counsel individuals, couples, families, and groups. My services include individual, group, and family counseling for children, adolescents, and adults, as well as Clinical Assessments.
Counseling Experience: Since 2000, through my M.S.A and M.Ed. programs and under supervision, I have extensively counseled individuals, couples, families, and groups in agency, community, and private practice settings. In May of 2012, I completed my clinical practicum/internship, which consisted of 700 supervised clock-hours. Since 2006, I have worked full- time as a Qualified Mental Health Professional, Youth Service Coordinator, and case manager. I have extensive experience with Child and Adult Community Support Services and Intensive In Home Services. My areas of interest include mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorders, anxiety disorders, attention disorders, and behavior disorders. Additionally, I have over ten years of professional experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families as both an educator and mental health professional. I have served these clients as an educator of children with special needs, Learning and Development Coach, Educational Research Specialist (at a National Educational Research Lab), intensive in home professional, and child Case Manager for two different mental health providers. I have experience working with individuals in public schools, homeless shelters, intensive in home services, private office, group homes, and foster care residential placements.
Nature of Counseling: All services that are provided emphasize client strengths and abilities. Goals of counseling may include assistance with decision-making, increasing symptom management, working with grief and loss, increasing self-esteem, improving communication and relationships, and developing strategies to improve daily functioning. Our approach will include life skills development; discussion of feelings and/or problems/concerns; and experiments with alternative modes of thinking, feeling, and acting. Common benefits include improvements in self-awareness, self-esteem, self-confidence, hope, relationships with others, and taking an active and responsible role in one’s life. I use a holistic approach to counseling that takes into account your biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions. I strive to establish and maintain a relationship with you, the client, which is characterized by equality and cooperation. Therapy provides the opportunity for growth, self-discovery and insight in the context of a safe, supportive environment. Each client is unique and presents with his or her own counseling needs and concerns. For this reason, there is no one approach that may work best for everyone. With this principle in mind, I utilize integrative models involving insight oriented, cognitive-behavioral, developmental, solution-focused, and mind-body-spirit models. I may occasionally request that you do “homework” by way of providing you with further reinforcement to concepts discussed in session or simply to prompt further insight and self- exploration.