Growing up I was a middle child and everyone came to me with their issues. Since I was a pretty good mediator and listener, I began to entertain the idea of doing something in mental health at a very young age. I worked as a teacher for a while so I could work more regular hours while raising my daughter with special needs. I also helped raise three step-daughters.
I guess the difference between my being a therapist now and what type of therapist I was as a much younger woman is that I can play upon my experiences to develop a deeper understanding and empathy for my clients, and my therapy now also includes more practical pro-active features, as well as a lot of elements to empower others.
Something that I often say to my clients is “Treat yourself with the same level of empathy, understanding and forgiveness that you would treat your best friend”.
Meet our Founder
I’m here to help you heal from both past and present trauma by building coping tools that truly support your unique needs. Together, we’ll strengthen your support system, nurture healthier relationships, and shift self-defeating thoughts into a more empowering, compassionate view of yourself. I’ll be right beside you as you learn to communicate assertively, solve problems constructively, and make choices that align with your goals and values.
With years of experience supporting families in both counseling and school settings, I bring a hands-on, heart-centered approach to therapy. I’m trained in play therapy and have strong mediation skills, especially in helping children and families work through conflict and change. I also advocate within school systems to ensure that students of all ages have the support they need. In sessions, I often use EFT tapping and Emotional Regulation Therapy (ERT) to gently help manage anxiety, OCD, and PTSD—offering tools for lasting relief and healing.
mY lICENSES
- Mental Health Role: Licensed Professional Counselor
- License State: Illinois
- License Number: 180.016652
- Education: Andrews University
- Degree/Diploma: M.A. Clinical Counseling
- Year Graduated: 1995
- Year I Began Practice: 1997
- Certificate: PESI 2025 ( EFT and Energy Psychology)
- Certificate: CAQH requirements 2024 (Autism Specialist)