What do you view as a key component of the therapeutic relationship?
I find that language helps create a strong therapeutic relationship. When clients know they can talk to me in Spanish/Spanglish or use curse words to tell a story or vent frustration, it allows both the client and counselor to engage without any pretense. Clients have told me that this helps them to better share their experiences and feelings.
What was your path to becoming a therapist? What inspired you to choose this profession?
I worked as a sleep tech running sleep studies for doctors and hospitals when I got inspired to pursue a career in counseling. That was my first time working with patients, who were mostly men and suffering from co-morbid health conditions, improve their quality of life by helping them achieve better sleep at night. I followed the career path to become a certified rehabilitation counselor working with individuals with disabilities, and then as a clinical mental health counselor working with immigrants and at-risk youth and their families. I work virtually with North American expats and volunteers living abroad (and re-adjusting to US culture), aging Gen Xers navigating midlife and career, and men seeking to improve overall wellness.
What excites you most about the evolving mental health landscape?
Psychedelics and technology in mental health care treatment. I think our role as mental health professionals will change dramatically as these two developments disrupt our field over the next five years. The current psychedelics research is promising for those dealing with addiction, anxiety, chronic illness/pain, depression, lifestyle changes, and trauma. Counselors will need to stay updated on research as more states pass decriminalization laws. Technology has provided the public with so many new ways to connect with counselors via telehealth.
Specialties
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.
Men's health
Men’s health is regarded as the holistic being and experience of being male. This extends beyond consideration for illness and other complex conditions but to general considerations of physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Issues may include socialized gender role, male reproductive issues, fatherhood, employment, divorce, substance use, et cetera.
Stress
Distress stems from a subjective perception of something being unwanted, undesirable, or detrimental to your wellbeing. Excessive stress significantly impairs mental and physical health and is associated with many diseases and conditions.
Coping Skills
Coping skills are tools and techniques one can learn, practice, and use to handle difficult emotions, decrease stress, and establish or maintain a sense of internal order.
General Expertise
Careers
Designed to help people choose, change, or leave a career at any stage of life. Careers are often wrapped up in people’s perceived identity, therefore, any change can cause anxiety and/or depression.
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.
Race & Cultural Identity
Challenges around race and cultural identity vary enormously, including issues related to discrimination, racism, and intergenerational trauma.
Chronic illness
Persisting health conditions causing significant barriers to daily functioning as well as discrepancies in how society responds to disabilities. Can impact people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and lead to feelings of isolation, uncertainty, and helplessness.
In-Network Insurance
Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare
Optum
Oscar Health
Oxford Health Plans
United Healthcare
United Medical Resources
Fees
$150
Family Therapy
$125
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Family Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Adlerian Therapy
Coaching
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Structural Family Therapy
Training / Certifications
CPCS #1635 - Certified Professional Counseling Supervisor (GA)
CRC #83753 - Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
Licensure
GA, LPC, LPC006622
NJ, LPC, NJCATEMP-032324
Education
Ph.D. Counselor Education & Supervision, Texas A&M University-Commerce
M.R.C. Rehabilitation Counseling, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
B.S. Rehabilitation Services, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
A.A.S. Design/Merchandising, Wade College
Work History
I've been a licensed professional counselor and holistic coach for the past 10 years with experience working in the community, school districts, college campuses, and vocational rehabilitation agencies. I primarily work with clients from diverse backgrounds on the enhancement of their wellness regarding relationships, social interest, career fit, coping skills, and cultural identity. I've also worked as a counselor educator for close to 15 years at various traditional and for-profit institutions, mentoring cohorts of students who have gone on to complete their degrees and professional licensure. I currently provide vocational expert testimony in disability determination appeals cases for Social Security Administration as well.
Location
2 East Bryan Street, Fl 4, Savannah, 31401, GA