I offer a range of therapy services at Child and Family Psychological Services (CFPS) including individual therapy, couple/marriage counseling, premarital counseling, and family therapy services.As a therapist, I work with families, couples, and individuals who struggle with a wide range of concerns and problems. These include, but are not limited to: depression, anxiety, parenting problems, marital or relationship difficulties, divorce concerns, blended family issues, substance use struggles, life adjustment problems, anger management difficulties, and other mental health issues.
My philosophy of practice involves integrating concepts in family systems, cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral strategies, solution oriented therapy, and humanistic philosophy into treatment that best meets the needs of the clients and families that I counsel.
In addition to my clinical experience, since 2013 I have been a part-time instructor at Western Michigan University in the Family Consumer Science Department. Currently I am instructing a course entitled “Intimate Relationships,” which focuses on research and practical skills in the fields of marriage and family therapy, sociology, and psychology.
Education & Professional Experience:
In 2011, I graduated with a Master of Arts degree from Western Michigan University. I took courses in the Counseling Education and Counseling Psychology Department and the Couple, Marriage and Family Therapy program at Western Michigan University. I completed my internship at Barry County Community Mental Health where I did individual and family therapy, and I was also a part of a home based therapy team. Prior to attending WMU I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Central Michigan University and two Associate degrees from St. Clair County Community.
From 2011 to 2015 I counseled at a private practice in Plainwell, Pathways Psychological Associates. At Pathways I successfully engaged in a wide range of therapeutic experiences and modalities including: individual counseling, group counseling, premarital / couple counseling, marital counseling, and family counseling. For a number of years I facilitated anger management and substance abuse groups. I have had success working with dating couples as well as married couples. I have had a good deal of successful experience working with children and adolescents, typically in the context of family counseling. I have successfully facilitated treatment for children, adolescents and adults with all of the following concerns: depression, anxiety, stress management, anger management, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), substance dependence and abuse, marital problems, parent-child relationship problems, blended family concerns, suicidal and/ or homicidal thoughts, physical and sexual abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). From 2012-2015 I was contracted as a part-time counselor at a trade school in Plainwell, Michigan Career and Technical Institute (MCTI). At MCTI, I counseled students who had a wide range of disabilities.
From 2008-2009, I worked at an adult crisis facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan called Howard Crisis, which was part of Hope Network. There, I worked with individuals who were suicidal and/or Severely Mentally Ill. I also volunteered from 2008-2009 at Gryphon Place in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where I answered phones and spoke with people who were in crisis, suicidal, or needed a referral to fulfill a basic need.
- MA, Western Michigan University, 2011
- BS, Central Michigan University, 2008
Credentials:
- Master of Arts from Western Michigan University
- Limited Licensed Psychologist
- Licensed Professional Counselor
- Limited Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
- Trained in level one Gottman Method Couples Therapy
