I’m a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) with over 25 years of experience in the mental health field and more than 15 years in private practice. Since 2010, I’ve had the privilege of working with adults and couples in a therapeutic setting that allows for deep, meaningful work.
While my early career included working with children and families in outpatient, residential, and school-based programs, my current focus is on helping adults and couples navigate relationship challenges, life transitions, anxiety, trauma, and the lasting impacts of early emotional wounds.
Many of my clients are working through complex dynamics with emotionally immature or difficult parents, learning to set healthy boundaries, or trying to understand why the same painful patterns keep repeating in their relationships. I also work with couples seeking to rebuild connection, trust, and emotional safety.
I approach therapy through the lens of attachment theory—because I believe the way we connect with others (and ourselves) shapes almost every aspect of our emotional lives. My style is warm, engaged, and direct. Clients often tell me they feel both challenged and supported in our work together, and that they’re able to be more honest in therapy than they expected.
Over the course of my career, I’ve worked with clients facing:
- Childhood trauma and relational wounds
- Anxiety, stress, and emotional overwhelm
- Relationship difficulties, including communication and boundary struggles
- Life transitions, grief, separation, and identity shifts
- Low self-worth, people-pleasing, and emotional burnout
In addition to individual therapy, I specialize in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)—a highly effective, research-supported model that helps couples break negative cycles and restore emotional connection. I'm a member of the International Centre for Excellence in EFT and have completed formal externship training in the model.
Credentials
- MA in Counseling, University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1996)
- BA in Sociology, Appalachian State University (1990)
- Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in NC & SC
- In-office and telehealth provider for North Carolina and South Carolina
- Member, International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy
- Completed EFT Externship Training
Prior Roles & Clinical Experience
Before entering private practice, I served in leadership and clinical roles across a range of mental health settings, including:
- Director of adolescent treatment and day treatment programs
- Outpatient therapist for individuals and families
- Crisis intervention and trauma-informed care for abuse survivors
- EAP counselor and chemical dependency group facilitator
- Multidisciplinary team member supporting children in foster care and DSS systems
I’ve pursued continuing education in trauma, attachment, couples work, grief, behavioral issues, play therapy, and creative modalities like art therapy.
Helping people reconnect to themselves and others in a meaningful way is the heart of my work. I’m grateful for the opportunity to do this work every day and would be honored to support you in your next chapter.