My Story

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a passion for helping develop healthy relationship skills across all avenues of life. I specialize in couples counseling and working with individuals striving to navigate emotional challenges such as anxiety, depression, communication skills, relationship skills, conflict management, change in phase of life, career changes, self confidence, and identify development.

After receiving a Masters Degree in Social Work with a mental health concentration from Washington University in St. Louis, I completed a Post-MSW Fellowship at the Yale Child Study Center. As a fellow, I received intensive training in child development, developmental evaluations, and the psychodynamic basis of play therapy. I built on this strong foundation building experience with a variety of populations through practice in private practice, outpatient and residential treatment facilities, hospitals and in schools. In addition, I have lectured in community and educational settings, conducted community based needs assessments, developed psycho-educational programs, and conducted developmental and psycho-social assessments.

As I continued to practice counseling, I furthered my area expertise in working with adults and specifically relationship building through intensive training with Drs. John and Julie Gottman of The Gottman Institute and Dr. Sue Johnson. Relationships are how we navigate the journey of life. Each is shaped by our perceptions, communication skills, and dynamic interactions. I believe that our life growth and gratitude are directly impacted through adjusting how we relate to ourselves, our loved ones, and those we interact with around us.

My intensive training with The Gottman Institute is based on 40 years of research by Drs. John and Julie Gottman into the "masters and disasters" of relationships. Gottman Method Couples Counseling integrates perception, biology, and behavior into a cohesive structure for exploring and building healthy relationships. I am currently seeking certification to be able to train other therapist in this evidence based relationship reviving method of couples counseling. Please see www.gottman.com for further information.

Through my experiences, I have grown in my holistic approach to counseling. Though I draw on tools from many theories, my approach is grounded in the connection between client and therapist. This relationship becomes the vehicle used to gain insight into patterns and develop skills from an array of theories such as psychodyanmic and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy approaches to counseling. As well as in the research-based Gottman Method Couples Counseling. The journey of life is complex and full of challenges which find balance in the happiness, joy, and gratitudes we experience as we process and integrate these learning opportunities. I believe that as we become more aware and accepting of ourselves, we are more capable of finding peace within our striving along the path of life. As your therapist, I will walk beside you in support as you move along your journey of healing and growth.

I provide counseling to individuals and couples inclusive of all aspects of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disability, religious beliefs or non-beliefs, gender identity or expression, marital status, parental status, and/or sexual orientation.

Education

M.S.W. Clinical Social Work, Washington University - St. Louis, 2000
B.S. Child and Family Development, University of Georgia, 1997

Fellowship

Yale School of Medicine Child Study Center Post-MSW Fellowship, 2000

Certification

Seven Principles Program Educator, The Gottman Institute, 2014
Certified Gottman Therapist, The Gottman Institute, (in progress)

License

California Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) #73956
Georgia Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) # CSW004361

Professional Memberships

National Association of Social Workers
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapist
California Chapter of National Association of Social Workers
Georgia Society of Clinical Social Workers