What was your path to becoming a therapist? What inspired you to choose this profession?
I have my undergraduate degree as an elementary teacher. While taking my education courses I spoke with some school counselors and felt that what they did more aligned with who I am. I finished out my degree as a teacher and immediately went on to graduate school to become a counselor. Speaking with one counselor in the department at Mount Mary inspired me to go into mental health rather than school counseling, because I did not feel the school setting was the most practical place for counseling.
What would be important for someone to know about working with you?
I need to know about your past. I cannot effectively treat anyone that won't give me enough information. It is because I care and want to help that I ask questions about your past. I cannot make you answer me, but I will still ask. It is getting vulnerable like this that creates real relationships, which are the foundation of good counseling/therapy.
In what ways have your personal experiences influenced your work with your clients?
I have a lot of personal experience with counseling and it is these experiences that have shaped the way I provide counseling. I have learned over time that treatment needs to be very flexible and individualized to each and every client to meet their needs.
Specialties
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
Codependency
Involves a person sacrificing their needs to meet the needs of others. Their thoughts and actions center on a significant other, spouse, friend, or relative. Becomes an issue when relationships are unbalanced and unhealthy.
Premarital counseling
Premarital counseling is a specialized form of therapy that helps prepare couples for marriage. Although it is helpful for struggling couples, it may be useful for anyone looking to build a stronger foundation moving into marriage. Couples may explore considerations around healthy communication, merging families, where to live, children, occupation, finances, maintaining a sense of self, supporting one another, and the wedding itself.
Substance abuse
Substance abuse is the intentional misuse of a substances (e.g., alcohol, prescription drugs, OTC medications, recreational and street drugs, household chemicals). This may include binge drinking or taking twice the prescribed dose of painkillers. For substances considered illegal and/or extremely detrimental to well-being, using even once may be considered substance abuse. Because of the addiction potential for many substances, abuse oftentimes leads to addiction.
Trauma
Trauma is the result of experiencing a perceived, extremely distressful event. Although the stress threshold for each person differs, meaning that each person considers and experiences trauma differently, it is an event that tops one’s threshold. It exceeds one’s ability to cope or emotionally process. Symptoms may include shock, anxiety, confusion, hopelessness, feeling disconnected, mood swings, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts.
General Expertise
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.
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.
Codependency
Involves a person sacrificing their needs to meet the needs of others. Their thoughts and actions center on a significant other, spouse, friend, or relative. Becomes an issue when relationships are unbalanced and unhealthy.
In-Network Insurance
Sana Benefits
Types of Therapy
Family Session
Couples Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness Practices
Motivational Interviewing
Person-Centered Therapy
Psychoanalytic Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Training / Certifications
Nationally Certified Counselor, Prepare/Enrich Certified
Licensure
WI, LPC, 8350-125
Education
Master of Science in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health, Mount Mary University
Work History
I began my work by interning at a non-profit seeing clients free of charge. I worked at that clinic in Waukesha for a full year. During that time I saw adult clients with any mental health issues and most struggling financially. I continued my work by moving into substance use counseling in Waukesha with more adults, again, most struggling financially. At that time I saw individual clients and began running therapy groups daily. I did family therapy sessions and couples' therapy sessions with my clients experiencing substance use disorders as well. I am also certified in Prepare/Enrich, which is a couples' counseling program.
Location
7929 N Port Washington Rd, Suite A, Glendale, 53217, WI