I believe in developing authentic relationships with clients which fosters a comfortable environment and makes for caring treatment. I primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to assist clients in learning better ways of thinking about their life issues. CBT is useful for teaching or improving clients coping skills. I also use Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), which builds on the client’s strengths. It involves solution-building rather than problem-solving. Together we will find ways that work for you.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor who has a wide range of professional experience. I started my “people-helping” career with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) as a Juvenile Probation/Parole Specialist Two (10 years), then was promoted to Juvenile Probation/Parole Specialist Three (12 years). Later I became a DJJ Field Office Supervisor (11 years). Upon getting my counseling license I left DJJ and worked as a Mental Health/Substance Abuse Counselor for the Georgia Department of Corrections/Community Supervision (Probation/Parole) Day Reporting Center (DRC) in Gainesville, GA. I retired after 30 years of service to the people of the State of Georgia. I then became employed as a Behavioral Health Counselor with Avita Community Partners/Community Mental Health in Dahlonega, GA. In addition to working full-time I worked one night each week for over 10 years as a part-time group counselor for the DUI and Drug Court programs in Hall, Dawson, and Forsyth Counties.

I provide a variety of assistance to adults and teens including those with depression/anxiety, grief, substance abuse/relapse prevention, anger management, juvenile delinquency, and teen life skills issues. I assist clients with parenting skills, time management/organizational skills, men's issues, and have a passion for working with children of incarcerated. In addition to in-person counseling I was trained and state approved in 2016 to provide virtual/tele-therapy.

I am certified in School Counseling by the State of Georgia. My education includes: Prescott College (School Counseling Certification Program), Liberty University (Master of Arts in Counseling), Georgia College (Bachelor of Science in Journalism), and Bainbridge Junior College (Associate of Arts in Journalism & Speech).