My Approach to Helping
Counseling Philosophy: My approach to therapy starts with creating a safe and accepting environment for clients to feel comfortable. I use an integrated, holistic approach and incorporate techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). I also focus on person-centered approaches to tailor the counseling experience to the individual, drawing upon other orientations such as Gestalt, Narrative, and Psychodynamic. I am dedicated to helping individuals find creative ways to heal and feel support through life’s obstacles.
Upon request for telehealth clients, I also offer music therapy experiences to supplement counseling sessions. As a board-certified music therapist, I can play multiple instruments to use music interventions as a way to accomplish client’s individualized goals. For more information about music therapy, please visit the AMTA website at www.musictherapy.org.
About Me: In my time outside the office, I am…outside! I enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities depending on the season, such as skiing, hiking, biking, kayaking, yoga, trail running, and competitive horseback riding. I make it a priority to engage in music for myself, and play in a rock band. I love spending time with my chocolate lab, cooking, and traveling.
More Info About My Practice
I received my bachelor’s of music degree from Radford University and specialized in Music Therapy. I completed a 6-month internship at a state psychiatric hospital in Virginia where I provided music therapy group and individual sessions to adult patients with severe and persistent mental illness. After my internship I worked as a music therapist and provided music therapy groups for older adult clientele in assisted living facilities and in the community. During this time in my career, I completed the training to become a Certified Dementia Practitioner to better serve the clients I was working with. I continued my postgraduate education at Caldwell University where I earned my master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. My graduate internship experiences included working with college students with mental health needs and adults with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. While in my graduate program, I was inducted into the Psi Chi International Honor Society for Psychology for my academic achievements. After graduating, I worked full time at a private treatment center as a counselor providing group and individual therapy to individuals with substance use disorders. I have counseled individuals, couples, families, and groups of all sizes.
Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With
Addiction, Alcohol Abuse, ADHD, Alzheimer?s and Dementia, Anger Management, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Career Counseling, Chronic Impulsivity, Chronic Pain, Chronic Relapse, Codependency, Coping Skills, Depression, Dual Diagnosis, Drug Abuse, Eating Disorders, Emotional Disturbance, Family Conflict, Gambling, Grief, Internet Addiction, Life Transitions, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders (OCD), Peer Relationships, Relationship Issues, Sex Addiction, Self-Esteem, Self-Harming, SleepInsomnia Issues, Stress, Suicidal Ideation, Trauma and PTSD, and Women?s Issues
Clinicians who offer sliding scale payment structures may offer lower or reduced fees based on an individual's ability to pay. Please contact this clinician for more details regarding their fees or sliding scale policy.