My Counseling Approach and Philosophy

I see our work together as a team effort. Each client I see has his or her own story and unique perspective on that story, and I believe that within that story are the seeds to healing. My approach to helping my clients is in seeing each of my clients as a whole person who is struggling with something, whether it is anxiety, depression, relationships issues, substance abuse, communication, parenting, trauma, etc. Most often, it is how we perceive a situation or a struggle that defines how we deal with it or respond to it. I hope that I can help you with whatever your struggle may be, and to help you rewrite your story. I am not here to "fix" you, The work is yours to do, I am a facilitator and I provide  evidenced based  treatments, support and accountability., I  help you gain clarity by providing a safe place to put your struggles and a place to heal and improve your overall health and wellbeing.  Ultimately, my  job is for you to eventually not need me.

​My favorite book of all time is Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning. One of the many wonderful things he says in that book is "When we are no longer able to change a situation we are challenged to change ourselves."

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More Info About my Practice

I have been working in mental health in some capacity since 1992. I have worked in domestic violence, psychoeducation, in home therapy, community support services, mentoring, substance abuse, individual, group, family, couples, foster care, children's residential care & working with teens involved in the Department of Juvenile Justice system. In the past I have offered a group for teen girls with anxiety, depression, and self harm.  I currently work in private practice in Carrollton, GA. I accept a limited number of insurance as well as EAPs. In addition, I provide health and wellness coaching to individuals who would like to make lifestyle changes, meet health and wellness goals or who want to make lifestyle changes and behavior changes around severe depression, menopause/perimenopause, post partum depression,  bipolar disorder or addiction and would like some support in creating healthier habits to support their mental health recovery. 

Specific Issues I'm Skilled at Helping With

I work with all sorts of populations, but I particularly feel that my strengths lie in working with young adults, adults, , teens, parenting issues, anxiety, substance abuse, trauma, integrative mental health and anyone going through a challenging life transition, spiritual or existential crisis. I also work with clients who are seeking health and wellness coaching and lifestyle changes. 

What Types of Treatment I Offer (My Treatment Approach)

Based on my education, training, and experience, I primarily work from a Humanistic & Person Center perspective, influenced by Existential, Stoic, Phenomenological, Transpersonal, Buddhist, and Christian perspectives. My academic background includes humanistic/transpersonal psychology, general psychology, clinical mental health counseling & supervision, coaching psychology, lifestyle medicine, mind/body psychology, philosophy, and religious studies. I work with the whole person. In addition to cognitive approaches to wellness, we will also look at how your lifestyle impacts your mental health, and how you can improve your overall health and wellbeing.  

I find various treatment approaches valuable, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person Centered Therapy, Biofeedback, Hakomi Body Centered Mindfulness Based Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Integral Psychotherapy, Integrative Mental Health, Adlerian Psychotherapy, Positive Psychology, Coaching Psychology, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Logotherapy. I recently completed training in EFT & TFT (tapping) for anxiety and panic attacks. I am certified as a Clinical Trauma Professional and a Certified Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider. 

How Psychotherapy Can Help

Psychotherapy can help people work through life issues such as relationships, communication, guilt, shame, depression, feeling overwhelmed, parenting, anxiety, weight loss, making significant changes, dealing with loss, life changes and much more. Having a third party to listen in an objective but caring way to help you find clarity, new tools, life skills, and perspective. Sometimes we just need someone to listen and to  get unstuck from ways that are not working for you.  The purpose of working together is to help you move on from old patterns, traumas, beliefs, and mindsets that are no longer helpful. Sometimes we have blindspots that prevent us from being the best person we can be. My job is to help you uncover some of those things and learn healthier ways to see things and to change the things you can control. Although I need to know your history, we will not dwell on the past, but focus more on how you can move forward toward a happier and healthier future..
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What to Expect at Your First Therapy Appointment

My View on the Purpose of Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy can help in various ways. As a trained counselor and psychologist, I understand the challenges people face. It’s beneficial to have someone who can listen, provide solutions, offer perspective, and facilitate discussions about personal struggles. Talking through these issues can alleviate burdens and bring clarity. I view my role as a sacred space where clients can explore profound questions like living a meaningful life, finding purpose, understanding love, suffering, and the causes of bad events. I also consider psychotherapy as “Applied Philosophy” that addresses these complex issues. My hope is to help you learn healthier ways of thinking, feeling, self talk, self belief, perspective taking and mindset, while also creating healthy behaviors, coping strategies and adding tools to your emotional and behavioral toolbox.  Ultimately, the goal is to help you find the tools to healing your body (nervous system, habits, lifestyle, physical and emotional responses), mind and spirit. Like I tell my clients, my job is for you to eventually not need me.  

What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist

I love being a Psychotherapist because I honor my clients’ stories. I learn from them daily, and I hope they learn from me. I’m amazed by their strength and courage. I’m honored to be invited into their stories and asked for guidance. I love sharing my humanity with them and experiencing theirs.

What are the Requirements to Become a Psychotherapist? 

LPCs, are the lowest-paid, yet highest-educated healthcare professionals outside medical degrees, An LPC candidate must have a Master’s degree in Professional Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Applied Psychology through a 60-hour CACREP-accredited masters program (the average Master’s degree program is 35-45 hours). and complete 2 semester-long, unpaid clinical internships totaling 600 hours. After graduation, we must pass a national clinical mental health counseling exam (NCE), and work for 2 years (3,000 hours) under post-graduate clinical supervision while actively working as an Associate Professional Counselor (APC) before qualifying to apply for an independent license to practice as an LPC. APCs cannot accept most insurance, so they must accept a sliding scale or lower pay than licensed independent counselors while under supervision. Licensed APCs and LPCs must also pay for and complete 35 hours of continuing education every 2 years for renewal of licensure, as well as seek out and pay for additional certifications and specialty trainings, (which also require ongoing continuing education to maintain)..

I have over 15 years of clinical mental health experience. I have a Bachelor and Master of Arts in Psychology and an Education Specialist degree in Professional Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Supervision, all from the University of West Georgia. I  am certified as a Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS),through my state's professional organization (LPCA-GA) requiring an initial additional training of 24 hours and 12 hours of ongoing continuing education every 2 years to maintain it. I also have additional specialty training in trauma and CPTSD as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) through the International Trauma Training Institute, certified in working with first responders through the University of Central Florida, certified practitioner in biofeedback through the HeartMath Institute, American Red Cross disaster mental health training and screening brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) training for substance abuse through SAMHSA. Additionally, I have a third graduate degree, a Master of Science in Integrative Health and Wellness, also from the University of West Georgia,, which includes training in what is known as lifestyle medicine. In July 2025 I took and passed the national board certification exam for Health and Wellness Coaching, which gives me the NBC-HWC credential as a board certified health and wellness coach. 

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