Couples Counseling
I have been active in the mental health field over 30 years, serving in various capacities during my career; elementary public school counselor, psychotherapist in a residential school setting, therapist in a State-Wide Inpatient Psychiatric Program (SIPP) for children and adolescents, as well as a clinical supervisor for a children’s advocacy center specializing in trauma focused-cognitive behavioral therapy, integrating play therapy for children and adolescents who have disclosed abuse. The past seven years I have worked as a therapist in a community counseling agency.
I have initiated and lead programs and workgroups covering parenting skills, mentoring, human trafficking, trauma informed care, multi-disciplinary county-wide meetings, animal-assisted therapy, Camp New Hope for grieving children/teens, crisis management, and character education.
My therapeutic approach is one of compassionate acceptance, seeking to understand the needs presented and direction desired, as stated by the individual and families seeking therapy. I am a strength-based, solution-focused therapist, believing in the best in people and their personal desire to succeed. My approach in helping people is to walk beside them encouraging them through their own therapeutic journey, equipping them with the skills and tools to be able to function to the best of their ability and enjoy life.
Having experienced my own personal trauma in the past, I believe I have acquired, to some degree, a heart to assist people find their own steps towards healing, becoming a survivor and learning to thrive with the wisdom and strength acquired.
Since 1996 I have been an active member in the Association for Play Therapy (APT), volunteering for various projects. I was the lead author for an article published in the 2012 Play Therapy magazine, “What make a safe, effective & inviting playroom.“ I am passionate concerning the benefits of play therapy and joining with children and teens in a therapeutic relationship assisting them and their families as they deal with life’s choices and challenges encountered in living life.
MEMBERSHIPS:
NBCC – National Board of Certified Counselors (NCC)
APT – Association for Play Therapy (RPT-S)
AMHCA – Association for Mental Health Counselors
AACC – American Association of Christian Counselors
Qualifications
Years of experience: 30+
License number: MH8966
Finances
Avg Cost (per session): $100-$150
Accepted Insurance Plans
- Cigna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- United Healthcare
- Aetna
Life and Hope Counseling Center ©