I took a longer route to becoming a Mental Health Therapist, starting undergrad as a Political Science major and eventually adding a second degree in Communication. Upon graduation, I found what was supposed to be a temporary job working in an elementary school before- and after-school program. It became apparent pretty quickly that I was meant to work with children. I ran one of the before- and after-school programs for 8 years, working with up to 165 students a day. It taught me a lot about how to make sure they are having fun while also learning during activities. I have been able to bring those skills into therapy so the kids enjoy the process.

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I decided I wanted to work with students in schools serving students with emotional and behavioral difficulties, and returned to school to earn my Master of Social Work in 2015. After graduation, I worked at a high school as a School Social Worker, then moved to a middle school, where I focused on a small group of kids who needed more intensive behavioral support. It’s a job I love. I also bring my therapy dog, Sirius, to school to help students cope and calm down when they're upset. He brightens the days of students and adults alike.

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I truly believe that every child can be successful if they have the skills and resources to cope with stress. My approach to therapy is to be person- and family-centered, with a focus on the positives. I move at the child's pace and help them build skills and knowledge along the way. I like to bring in brain and body science to help them understand why they may be feeling or thinking a certain way.

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Let me introduce Sirius. He is a 6-year-old black lab/beagle mix who started his therapy dog career almost 4 years ago. I originally got him as a puppy for myself as a graduation present. After training him, I realized how great a therapy dog he would be. We worked for over a year on the training and certifications needed to pass the tests. Sirius passed them all with flying colors. He now comes to work with me 3 days a week, and the kids love him (but the adults might love him more). He can bring down anxiety and allow children to open up, or he can just be a nonjudgmental face to talk to.

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When I am not working, I love to be with my niece and nephews. I also love to travel, hike, and explore with Sirius. I enjoy gardening and growing plants.