About me
My goal is for every client to feel safe and comfortable in the sometimes daunting process of counseling. Like you, I am just a human who has struggled and been through hard things in my life. I have engaged with counseling many times myself and found it to be helpful and freeing. Here is a little more about me and my approach to counseling.
My Philosophy of Counseling
I believe that all humans are born with the desire and potential to live rich and meaningful lives marked by connection, creativity, calm, compassion, and confidence. However, difficult circumstances in life can create roadblocks that turn our innate tendencies in the wrong direction and make it difficult to achieve a sense of balance and fulfillment. From a holistic approach, considering biological, psychological, social and spiritual factors, the therapist can journey with clients into a greater self-awareness of the untrue beliefs and negative behaviors in their lives. From the safety of a gracious and empathetic therapeutic relationship, clients can experiment with new patterns of behavior and thoughts as they move past roadblocks into healthier ways of living.
My Counseling Practice
I work with teens, and adults. I work with clients regardless of ethnicity, gender, sex, race, religion, socioeconomic status or disability. I work with presenting issues such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, relationship issues, life transitions and grief. Counseling is a collaborative process where I will work with the client to identify and accomplish their desired therapeutic goals. From a client-centered foundation I will create a safe and accepting atmosphere for my clients. I utilize Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help clients build self-awareness and psychological flexibility by getting to know their internal parts. I utilize Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients observe and detach from unwanted thoughts and emotions in order to live a life that is true to their values. I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and use it to help clients desensitize to and reprocess traumatic memories.
Education and Credentials
I hold a MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. I am a National Certified Counselor (NCC #1674953) and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in the state of North Carolina (LCMHCA #A17704). As part of my Master’s program I completed four semesters of supervised clinical practice at Hickory Grove Counseling Center where I provided counseling for children, teens, adults and couples. I have completed training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) and a five-day intensive training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.)