What does work with me look like?

Imagine, you open your eyes and you’re in the middle of the worst storm you have ever seen.  There is destruction all around you and you don’t know what direction to go. You look down and you see a little  potted tree with most of the leaves gone and the branches so bare.  Then you look up to see a mirror only to see that it is not a dream, and it isn’t a plant, but the reflection is you and the storm is going on inside you.  Determined that tomorrow will be a better day, you ARE HERE to pick up the pieces and be nursed back to the bright blossomed tree you always had inside you.  But how do you get there?  You travel down the Cs to your path of growth and transformation. First, we will CLARIFY your needs while we get to know each other and gain a better understanding of the past that has led to the present.  Then we will COLLABORATE to CREATE a plan of action to reach your goals. You will learn that CONSISTENT CHANGE accompanied with a shift in your mindset will help you to gain new skills while building CONFIDENCE that helps you gain CONTROL over your life and your destiny.  It may not be easy, but with your time and COMMITMENT and my kind gentle approach WE will get you back to a place where you are standing tall again, knowing that while there are blemishes and missing branches, the roots are strong and so are you!

But why choose me?

Outside of knowing that you are in a trusted and nonjudgmental environment, you will know that your situation will be met with genuine compassion.  You will feel heard and listened to, but also held accountable towards the goals you create and know that you have a partner in the passenger seat with you.

Why I do this?

My mission in life is to plant seeds in women’s life to help them in gaining confidence and assist them with reaching their goals and dreams.  I was born in Connecticut to military parents.  By five my parents were separated, and I lived in Virginia with my mother, a nurse, while my father traveled in the Navy. She was a church going hard working nurse, which as you can imagine meant a lot of long working hours.  My mother was diagnosed with Leukemia while I was in high school, she transitioned the summer going into my senior year. I was devastated! I felt like my world stood still, not only for several minutes, hours, or days, but also many years.  Not only did I have to deal with this but then had to move to Georgia to attend undergraduate school.  I was scared, lonely, angry, depressed, among others.  It was a surprise that I made it through both undergraduate and my master’s degrees.   Many times, it felt like I had it all together, but I realized that I needed to work through my issues and bring awareness to my life.  It was a journey that involved a lot of tears, mistakes, and trials, but it has developed me as a woman, built my confidence to propel myself closer to reaching my goals.  In your work with me we will work to identify the barriers holding you back from meeting your goals.  Recognize the strengths you have within that will help you gain the confidence you deserve.  Therapy can help to create a shift in your thinking, confidence, and improve your overall life, because you deserve it! You deserve to be the best version of you and together we will navigate your journey.  Let’s take the leap together, are you ready, 1, 2, 3….

What makes me qualified?

I completed my undergraduate degree at Augusta University.   Moving a little bit further south to obtain my master’s degree from Mercer University where I received my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I worked in the college setting assisting students with finding their dreams through advising, counseling, and teaching.

Then the wind blew me to the north and I moved to NJ. I continued working in the college setting assisting first generation youth by providing skills and tools to successfully complete college while overcoming many adversities and challenges in the home and in their life.

I then became an LPC in NJ (37PC00622700) working with families with substance use history.  I explore trauma and experiences in my client’s childhood that continue to seep into their lives and impact decision making. I am trained Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT)which in short works with clients to identify thoughts that are not serving them any longer while learning additional ways to shift one’s mindset.  I am also trained in Trauma Focused -CBT and Sand Tray Therapy.  I utilize Solution Focused therapy and Strength Based Therapy to identify goals and start working towards a solution.