About Me I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and have worked with adults, couples, children, adolescents and families for over twenty years. I attended the University of Wisconsin Madison where I received my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology in 1992. I completed my Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology in 1997 at Roosevelt University in Schaumburg, Illinois.
In my career as a counselor I had extensive training as a family therapist focused on strengthening relationships. I have worked in numerous settings including a residential treatment center, a crisis intervention agency, several family agencies, and an outpatient counseling center. I opened my private practice just over ten years ago to focus on adults, couples and teens. I have a special interest in working with grief and loss and life transitions. I myself am a parent of two grown young adults and understand the struggles we all go through as parents every day as well as in the transition to the empty nest. I also have a passion for working with couples in the therapy room. I am a Christian counselor and provide faith based counseling for those who could benefit from faith based counseling or who are struggling in their faith.
My approach to therapy is eclectic. No two people are alike; nor should their therapy be. I want to meet you where you are at and then talk about moving to where you want to be. I often work from a cognitive behavioral perspective helping you change the way you think about things or respond to things to help reduce anxiety, depression, frustration and other negative feelings. I am also solution focused and help you to set goals for the changes you envision in your life. I strongly believe in family systems theory and work closely with parents in sessions with their teens. In therapy sessions I frequently like to incorporate mindfulness exercises that allow one to quiet and calm the mind and learn to relax and focus on the present moment and an inner quietness. This can be very helpful to adults and teens who suffer from anxiety, depression, and strong emotions. I am also a Christian counselor and will incorporate faith and spirituality if this support is helpful in treatment.
In my free time, I love to be outdoors. I find being in nature or just simply pausing to take in the world around, brings me calm and centers me. I also enjoy connecting with friends and travelling with my family. You can also find me curled up with a good book in my free time. I firmly believe in seeking those things that bring you joy and contentment and slowing down to do so. I am actively involved in my church community.
