Professional

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Richmond, Virginia. I have been in the field of mental health for over 20 years, supporting people through healing, resolving conflict, and reaching their personal goals.

I work with individuals and couples, specializing in relationships, trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, religious/spiritual trauma, ADHD, life transitions, stress, parenting, and more. As a certified Relational Life Therapist I frequently work with high conflict couples who have previously not found success with counseling. I also enjoy working with other practitioners in the field of mental health, whether as a therapist, providing supervision for licensure, or for consultation.

I primarily utilize Relational Life Therapy, Family Systems, and mindfulness practices with my clients, and include techniques and perspectives from other models including, but not limited to, Narrative Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I am not rigid in my approach to therapy, rather as I get to know you I use what will be most beneficial to you and your situation.

I value the significance of a person's cultural context and cultural experience. I have a posture of unconditional positive regard and take a nonjudgmental approach to my clients’ beliefs and choices, working to support you toward your goals. I adhere to and believe in NASW’s Social Justice Principles (https://www.socialworkers.org/Advocacy/Social-Justice).

Education and Experience

I graduated from the University of Virginia with a BS in Psychology, and as a member of  Psy Chi, the National Honor Society for Psychology, in 1998. I obtained a Masters Degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2000 and went on to work in community mental health, specializing in adolescent substance abuse, before becoming licensed and joining a private practice in 2005.  I am certified as a Relational Life Therapist, and Relational Life Bootcamp Facilitator. After my third child was born I worked in the non-profit sector, first with parents who were court-ordered for treatment due to charges of child abuse or neglect, and later with adults and groups in a more typical counseling practice setting.

Personal

I have three children, a dog, two bikes, and everything needed for adventure in the mountains. I grew up in the North Eastern part of the US, but have called Richmond home for over 25 years.