I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 12 years of experience in clinical settings. Specialty areas of my clinical practice include individual therapy with adults, young adults, teenagers/adolescents as well as family therapy. Over this time I have gained extensive experience in working with families in all their different and complex combinations including biological families, blended families, single parent families, families adjusting to divorce, and families that have been reunited.
I received my Bachelor of Arts (major: Psychology, minor: Sociology) in 1995 and my Master of Arts (Counselor Education/Counseling in Community Agency Settings) in 1999 from Western Michigan University. In addition to these two degrees I also earned a Graduate Certificate in Holistic Health Care while working on my Master of Arts degree. I use evidence based techniques and methods that have proven to be effective through scientific research. This approach is balanced by my knowledge of holistic health principals (mind, body, and emotional awareness/intelligence). I enjoy helping individuals, couples, and families learn how to communicate, manage anger, and resolve conflict more effectively while helping them build more positive, nurturing, healthy relationships with one another. I have extensive experience in helping families and individuals (including teenagers/adolescents) experiencing symptoms of depression, mood swings, anxiety, panic attacks, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, A.D.H.D., Oppositional Defiant Disorder, loss and difficulties adjusting to changes, high risk behaviors, alcohol abuse, low self esteem, high levels of stress, and other emotional, social, or behavioral issues of concern.