I have worked in healthcare for the past 30 years as a registered nurse and most recently as a licensed professional counselor. During my work in healthcare, I noticed the most fulfilling part was the emotional and practical guidance I was able to provide for individuals and their families. This led me to obtain a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Liberty University where I learned how to take proven therapeutic treatments and make them practical to fit the individual and their families life. I have worked in schools and in the homes of adolescents with emotional and behavioral challenges, provided pastoral counseling in the Fredericksburg community, and out-patient groups for those with personality disorders. Currently, and for the past few years, my focus has been on helping adolescents and women create a positive view of themselves while learning how to effectively manage their emotional reactions.
In noticing a need for parents and couples to have consolidated, practical techniques and tools I co-created skills-based parenting and marital seminars with Jack Horn, licensed professional counselor. For the past 9 years, we have conducted seminars which provide hands-on exercises created from evidence-based therapies that focus on communication and behavior skills. This provides couples and parents with usable tools in breaking unhelpful patterns with each other.
My approach in working with individuals and couples is to tailor evidenced-based, proven treatments by integrating the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual. I utilize Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). For couples and families, I utilize Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and a family systems approach. I am also specialized in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and work, individually and in a group setting, with teens and adults who are struggling with borderline personality, emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships.
I look forward to working with and joining you in creating solutions that work for your life.
