I was born at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines and raised in the Appalachian region of Ohio. After graduating high school, I moved to the Columbus region and obtained my Bachelor's Degree in Criminology and Sociology at The Ohio State University. I worked as a corrections officer for about 5 years before changing careers to be a clinician at an outpatient substance abuse agency. I then received additional education and training at Columbus State Community College in mental health, addiction studies, and intellectual disabilities. I spent about 7 years as an outpatient substance use clinician and worked to obtain a Master’s Degree in Social Work. I graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2015 from The Ohio State University. After getting my independent licensure, I worked in a local hospital serving as the program coordinator for a substance abuse detox program. Later I transitioned into working as an emergency service social worker completing crisis evaluations and doing some medical social work before opening my private practice full-time.

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I have over 20 years of experience working in correctional, hospital, non-profit, community mental health/substance abuse, and educational settings. My role often functions simultaneously as teacher and coach, fostering a positive, encouraging relationship with clients and using that relationship to reinforce healthy, behavior change. I have formal training in Critical Incident Desensitization (CID), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Solution Focused Therapy (SFT). 

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I have experience with crisis, trauma, grief, addiction and/or substance use issues, weight related issues (not specializing in eating disorders), parenting challenges, blended family issues, working with first responders, the criminal justice system (i.e. support for divorce/dissolution, criminal, civil, etc.). 

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On a personal level, I’ve been married to my spouse for over 17 years. My husband has been in corrections for over 25 years working all shifts and various positions throughout his career. I love being married and this has taken effort, work, and prioritization. We have helped to raise 3 children together and are a blended family. We live in Lancaster and enjoy traveling, golfing, exercising, riding motorcycles, and being with our friends and family.

 

I do have a chronic and rare medical condition in addition to being a bariatric patient. I acknowledge this so potential clients recognize that I do have an understanding of the various nuisances associated with having a lifelong problem such as this. I hardly cancel appointments though as I work very hard to stay healthy.  

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Currently, I do serve on the board of directors for the Harcum House and am the Secretary of the Executive Committee for the Fairfield County ADAMH Board.