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Practices at Sandy

Pronouns: She, Her, Hers

My Personal Philosophy & Approach to Counseling

Everyday life can be a challenge even under the best of circumstances. Add to that the usual challenges that people face because of situations and life changes and all people could benefit from some support and empowerment at any stage of life. It is my belief that counseling and therapy are tools of empowerment to allow for progressive growth, improved coping skills, and affirmation of self-worth.

By working with all clients from within a space of cultural competence and affirmation, I seek to guide clients through identifying their strengths in the face of their challenges to develop a personalized plan to resolve their identified and uncovered challenges. By focusing on a strengths-based approach, all clients can

co-create their own individualized plan of improvement and empowerment.

I utilize a philosophy of counseling that is focused on the importance of experience, the meaning that we assign to things, people, events in our lives, and behavioral change. Some of the counseling theories that I draw upon include Choice Theory/Reality Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy (NT), and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).

I affirm people of all walks of life including diverse ethnicities, races, gender identities, sexual orientation, abilities, and spiritual and religious affiliations. All are welcome.

Formal Education & Training

I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a Sociology minor from Mississippi State University, my Master of Education degree in Counseling from Delta State University (Cleveland, MS), and my Doctor of Philosophy degree in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

I have over 10 years of experience in providing direct counseling services to people of all ages in a variety of settings (inpatient, outpatient, agency, private practice, and non-profit community outreach). Additionally, I have over 15 years of experience as a counselor educator, training graduate students to become counselors in mental health, schools, and rehabilitation specialties. In this role, I have taught classes and supervised students in their pre-degree field experiences.

I specialize in working with individuals with PTSD/cPTSD, a history of trauma (including survivors of abuse), depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders, people with disabilities, and people who identify as being a member of marginalized groups such as LGBTQIA+, ethnic and racial groups, military veterans, and people with disabilities.

I have training in Narrative Therapy, Animal Assisted Therapy, Mindfulness in Psychotherapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Art Therapy, Play Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Resilience & Coping, Self-Compassion, and Forgiveness Therapy. I am currently undergoing training as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.

I am also a co-creator of The Therapeutic Triad, an approach that combines Resilience, Compassion (including Self-Compassion), and Forgiveness. While The Therapeutic Triad was created with people with disabilities in mind, it has proven effective and helpful for people with a variety of presenting issues, with and without disabilities.