Training
I have an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Central Florida. I completed a Master’s degree in counseling from Reformed Theology Seminary in Orlando, Florida. Finally, in 2018, I completed my PhD in Counseling from Oregon State University. I am currently licensed in California as an LPC and in Florida as an LMHC.
Experience
Both my training and work experience have prepared me to handle a variety of issues in the counseling room. These include, but are not limited to, relationship issues, marital issues, abuse recovery and addiction. I have worked extensively with couples dealing with marital issues and individuals struggling with sexual addiction. Additionally, I have facilitated therapy groups throughout my career. The focus of these groups has included sexual addiction, divorce, and interpersonal awareness.
Approach
As a professional engaged with a vocation that impacts people, I believe my view of people is paramount. It transcends my work regardless of role or venue (counselor, educator, supervisor). I believe people as exceedingly deep. We are complex creatures that are not easily reduced. Further, we are inherently relational creatures. We live and breathe in the context of relationships. In fact, we have never known a moment of life without relating to another. Because of this, the impact of therapy should be viewed through a relational lens. I also believe that narratives shape our lives. We are all in the process of living into old narratives as well as authoring new ones. When we begin to explain our life, our passion and our challenges, we tell stories. At the intersection of our inherent relational nature with our propensity to construct narratives is the embodiment of our stories. Our primary narratives become so deeply engrained in us that they impact our entire person.
Because of this view of humanity, my approach to counseling resonates with theories that are congruent with this description. Object-relations theory forms the core of my approach because it accommodates the significance of our relationships and understands that there are often complex factors that are playing out in our hearts, minds, and lives. These relational patterns are formed and stored through narrative and therefore theory and techniques of narrative therapy complement my object-relations approach.
In terms of counseling atmosphere, I strive to create an environment where people feel comfortable to be seen. This environment includes empathy, compassion, invitation, and a focus on story. I believe that all of our issues- even those that bring about deep shame- happen in a context. I desire to always engage issues in the context of the client’s larger story.