My Approach to Helping
Hi! Welcome to Grow! I am a licensed professional clinical counselor and hold a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Hope International University. My academic curriculum specialized in: family systems, biopsychosocial thought, psychodynamic approaches, and person-centered interventions. Therapeutically, I specialize in substance abuse counseling/addiction, as I am also certified as a substance use counselor and have worked in substance abuse treatment as a residential treatment technician before becoming a therapist. Further, I specialize in working with kids and adolescents who struggle with emotional defiance/conduct issues and developmental disabilities. Further, I have experience in dual diagnosis treatment and exploring grief/loss issues. My style of therapy comes from a Rogerian, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and humanistic approach, and embracing the “entire self”. My passion in being a therapist is to see and embrace progress, meet people where they are at, be present during "aha" moments, and serve altruistically. Outside of being a therapist, I enjoy participating in ministry work, being active in recreational sports, and volunteering as a crisis counselor and hospice volunteer. Some of my past work experience has included: working in special education as a substitute teacher, in the public-school sector as a tutor/instructional assistant, and as an in-home behavior interventionist working with kids who have developmental disabilities.