BACKGROUND AND PHILOSOPHY:
I am a professionally licensed marriage and family therapist. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in 2005 and my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Richmont Graduate University in 2013. My training experience included work in the inpatient setting and in the private practice setting. I spent a considerable amount of time studying intimate partner violence, and my Master’s thesis pertained to the parallels between modern slavery and intimate partner violence. I also pursued specific training in sex therapy while in graduate school, and have found that training pertinent in working with those who have been abused sexually, couples who desire increased sexual intimacy, and with women who might be experiencing pain and difficulty in their sexual relationships.
My early clinical work centered largely on treating those who suffered childhood trauma as well as those who struggled with eating disorders. While I still spend a lot of time walking besides those who are working to heal from the traumatic wounds of the past, as my career has progressed I have found immense fulfillment in doing the “depth work” that can come after clients and I have worked through the presenting surface issues. I have found that if we follow the symptoms, asking questions like, “what is my anxiety or my depression trying to tell me about” instead of just trying to make the symptoms go away, our woundings and ailments can actually be some of the best guides towards finding our truest selves and living out our most authentic lives.
Many people see “Marriage and Family Therapist” and assume that a person who holds that title must work predominately with couples or families, but that’s not true. Basically, marriage and family therapists are people who place a large emphasis on considering the system that surrounds an individual and that might have contributed to an individual’s struggles.
The consideration of the system and not just the individual is what led me to pursue a degree specifically in Marriage and Family Therapy. Personally, I believe that no one lives in a vacuum – all of us are influenced by our surroundings. So if you work with me, what you’ll find is that I’m constantly asking you to consider all of the moving pieces that might be contributing to your struggle.
As for the person I am outside the therapy office – I’m a wife and a mom, a musician (I’ve been a guitarist far longer than I’ve been a therapist), and someone who loves adventure. I can go very deep very quickly, but I am also quick to laugh and playful to the core. If all that sounds ok with you, then I might be a good fit as your therapist. I look forward to working with you!