I’ve always had a passion for making personal connections and learning people’s stories. I became a clinical social worker so that I could use that passion to help people tap into their strengths and use their own innate resources to find their way out of dark times in their lives. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a client make connections between their past, their emotions, and their behaviors and use this new knowledge to build skills needed to improve their life.

After growing up in southwestern Virginia, I found my way to South Carolina and completed the Master of Social Work degree at the University of South Carolina (Go Cocks!). I have spent the last 20 years as a social worker in Columbia, South Carolina. I have clinical experience with various government and private agencies which has allowed me to learn from diverse clients and hone the skills to connect with people from all different walks of life.

In therapy sessions, I strive to create an open and warm environment where clients feel support to be their true, authentic selves. I want every person to know they have value and are supported, despite how they may be feeling at the moment. I help clients process their past experiences, accurately identify their emotions and make new connections, as this is the only way to move forward with integrity. I utilize a mix of therapies in sessions; Cognitive Behavioral, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral, Narrative, Solutions-Focused, and Ego Therapies. I have received additional trainings and certifications in trauma-informed services, working with trauma victims, working with youth, and addressing depression and anxiety. My goal isn’t for you to be a client forever — my goal is for us to put you on the path to feeling confident to move forward on your own.

Although I have worked with a variety of clients, I have worked extensively with adolescents and teenagers in private practice, state agencies and public school settings. We can all recall how stressful that time was, with trying to navigate family relationships, peer relationships, school, figuring out our identity and who we want to be in the world. I enjoy processing these things with teenagers, helping them make connections between their emotions and their behaviors and then using this information to learn coping skills. Sometimes they’re just looking for an outlet to share information confidentially and get support outside of their family. Sometimes they need help thinking through things and then learning how to share this information with others. Sometimes they have experienced a trauma and are struggling to talk about it and make sense of what happened. And sometimes they don’t even understand what they need. That’s when I’m happy to step in and help them get a better understanding of who they are and how they can move forward, taking steps towards the person they want to be.

While my work with clients is important to me, there are a lot of other things that fill my cup. You will often find me exploring the great outdoors with my family, in a coffee shop with a book in hand, and finding time to escape back to the Appalachia mountains. I look forward to learning more about you as we begin our work together!

2003- Roanoke College, B.A. Psychology

2005- University of South Carolina, Master of Social Worker

2010- Licensed Independent Social Worker

2023- LISW-CP Supervisor Certification