
Pleasant Hills Office
There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress and we would be forever repeating the same pattern.” –Edward de Bono
As a person, I believe every problem has a solution. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, it is my goal to work with you to find your solution. I have spent my career helping people find their strength and uniqueness to help them overcome any challenge in their way of success.
Professionally, I received my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Bethany College where I focused my studies on Person Centered Therapy and Cognitive/Behavioral Interventions and where I spent my free time volunteering at a local elementary school, as a member of Big Brother’s Big Sisters and as a leader in the community organization of Circle K. My initial work experiences included working in a residential treatment facility with adolescent females, working in the children’s department of a domestic violence shelter and working in family homes helping children, adolescents and their families learn new methods to handle challenging behaviors. While working on my Master of Science in Counseling Psychology at Chatham University, I continued my work with children/adolescents, their families, and the community in the field of foster care. I am currently completing my PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at Indiana University of Pennsylvania with the intention of helping new counselors enter the field. My dissertation research focuses on integrating creative counseling techniques into counseling sessions. I have taught classes on mental health diagnosis, crisis and trauma, and supervised students in their field and practicum experiences as they grow to becoming counselors.
Clinically, I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Reality Therapy as my core value systems. Sessions focus on psychoeducation, play, creativity, and an understanding of the basics of neuroscience. I have additional training in Exposure and Response Therapy for OCD treatment, Trauma Focused CBT for trauma and PTSD, and have focused recent research on neuroscience and creativity in counseling.
As a counselor, it is my goal to help a person not allow negative or experiences to define who they are but to let the solutions we find together define who they can be.