What’s the most profound, insightful, or interesting thing you’ve learned as a mental health professional?
Therapy is about entering into another persons world. As a therapist, I am honored to be a guest, for a short period of time, in the lives of my clients. I am elated when my clients tell me that they do not need me anymore! I regularly work myself out of a job!!
What would be important for someone to know about working with you?
My approach to counseling is two fold; in the short-term, I will work to help calm down immediate concerns that are causing distress. In the long-term, I help clients work through the past issues, pain and trauma that are hindering life in the here and now.
What excites you most about the evolving mental health landscape?
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a very exciting modality! My experience with this dynamic therapy has been awe-inspiring! I have helped combat veterans and first responders, who were plagued by disturbing images and memories, find relief! Women who suffered from unspeakable violence in the past, experience peace!
Specialties
Depression
Depression often causes people to feel sad, empty, or hopeless, and can cause a lack of interest in life. It can also affect a person's thinking patterns and physical health.
Anxiety
Anxiety can mean nervousness, worry, or self-doubt. Anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder that entails excessive, repeated bouts of worry, anxiety, and/or fear.
Life transitions
Positive and negative change can be difficult, including things like moving, breaking up, adjusting to parenthood, or changing careers. It’s normal to feel stressed, however, life transitions can inhibit people from living healthy lifestyles.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a condition that is precipitated by a perceived terrifying event. This event need not occur directly to the person but may happen vicariously—having seen something terrible happen to another person. The condition may last months or years while symptoms include ruminating thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, intense anxiety when triggered, and potential substance abuse in attempt to cope.
Veterans' issues
Veterans’ issues involve any issues associated with veterans and/or their family members (military families). Veterans oftentimes present with issues that are unique to the human experience. PTSD, suicide, and substance use prevalence are high with this population as a result of immense stress and trauma. Other issues may include adjustment to civilian life, re-integrating with family, medical care, mental health treatment, employment, and finances.
General Expertise
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is the degree to which a person feels confident, valuable, and worthy of respect. Feeling low self-esteem can influence overall well-being and be linked to anxiety and/or depression.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by persistent instability in relationships, extreme emotional reactions, and chronic fear of abandonment. People with this may also tend to be moody, experiencing a lot of high highs and low lows.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety or social phobia is fear of social situations or a fear of interacting with people other than close friends and family. Social anxiety can be persistent, intense, and debilitating, greatly affecting daily life.
Addiction
Regular involvement with a substance or activity in a compulsive, hard to control way that often has harmful consequences. Often refers to substance use, but can include compulsive behaviors such as sex, gambling, or shopping.
Fees
$100
First Session
$150
Family Therapy
$100
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness Practices
Attachment-Based Therapy
Integrative Therapy
Internal Family Systems Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Person-Centered Therapy
Accelerated Resolution Therapy
Training / Certifications
Accelerated Resolution Therapy-Advanced
Prepare and Enrich
Gottman Level I
Licensure
TX, LPC, 82202
Education
Masters of Arts in Professional Counseling, Liberty University
Work History
My experience includes complex trauma, PTSD, abuse/neglect, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, family/relational issues, and stage of life concerns. I am trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART); a treatment that uses rapid eye movements, exposure, imagery rescripting and guided imagery to change the way traumatic and stress inducing images are stored in the brain. I also use elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS) and mindfulness- based practices.
Location
1838 N Valley Mills DR, Suite 4, Waco, 76710, TX