BackgroundHaving worked in the mental health community since 1994, I am experienced in assessment, counseling, crisis intervention and resource connection for diverse needs.
For most of my 15 years in agencies prior to private practice, I helped adults who were overcoming both addiction and mental illness transition from crisis to independence. My experience focused at different times on young adults transitioning to independence, teenagers overcoming crisis, and adults with disabilities and histories of trauma and loss. Credentials
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Interest Areas
HOLISTIC HEALTH & COORDINATED CARE. My work in inpatient behavioral health and outpatient substance abuse treatment settings taught me the importance of holistic health and coordinated care efforts, especially for people living with co-occurring conditions like mental illness plus addiction or medical issues. I'm passionate about sparking and supporting recovery and wellness even when people think it's beyond their reach. These are some recent trends that interest me professionally and give me hope:
MINDFULNESS. I'm encouraged to see mindfulness practices for mental health becoming more mainstream. Simple acts like noticing new details can connect us to our present moment. Cognitive behavioral therapies like Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy both include mindfulness skills because of their effectiveness. I am also trained in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and share mindfulness practices in sessions when there is interest.
YOGA. Recent advances in trauma research are promoting body-based therapies like yoga for trauma healing and recovery, and a variety of mental health issues. I've studied yoga for behavioral health (almost 60 hours with Subtle Yoga in Asheville, NC) and I encourage yoga as a coping skill for depression, anxiety and recovery from trauma and addiction. I incorporate movement into sessions when there is interest. TRAUMA RESILIENCY. My transition to private practice was largely motivated by a desire to help people achieve post-traumatic growth and develop trauma resiliency. I admire the work of the Trauma Resource Institute and am trained in their Trauma Resiliency Model (Level 2), which emphasizes body awareness and wellness skills for regaining a sense of power after trauma or while coping with traumatic stress. WELLNESS & INTEGRATIVE HEALTH. More than ever before, psychiatry is looking closely at the impact of what we eat on our mental and emotional health. I value systemic approaches that promote food as medicine, physical activity to reduce anxiety or improve mood, and social support to strengthen efforts for change. I encourage openness to all methods of healing and may recommend other providers like group or family therapists, massage therapists, acupuncturists, or nutritionists. INTEGRATED HEALTHCARE. We know more about how adverse events in childhood impact adult medical and mental health, and are making new progress toward integrating medical and mental health care as a result. I understand that medication can at times be essential when treating some levels of depression and anxiety, or to assist with substance use withdrawal or recovery maintenance. I value coordinating care with medical and psychiatric providers to assure the best possible support. |
Recent Roles
ATRIUM HEALTHCARE. After starting private practice, I maintained a part-time role as a psychotherapist at Behavioral Health Charlotte on the Child and Adolescent Inpatient unit until March 2020. I also worked with Atrium's Child and Adolescent Partial Hospitalization and Behavioral Health Integration programs.
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Professional Memberships
- National Association of Social Workers
- National Association of Addiction Professionals
- International Association of Yoga Therapists
- Open Path Psychotherapy Collective
Learn more on this site about my approach to therapy, my practice details, or other resources that might be helpful.
Feel free to contact me directly with questions or to schedule a first session.
Feel free to contact me directly with questions or to schedule a first session.