My path to becoming a therapist was not a straight line. I began working in the recovery community more than three decades ago and eventually returned to college in mid-life to become a licensed therapist. Going back to school gave me something I hadn't had before: a clinical framework for understanding what I had observed and experienced throughout those years. It helped put context around the patterns, obstacles, and changes that had once been difficult to understand.

Much of my early clinical career was spent working with people whose substance use and mental health concerns were intertwined. I served in leadership roles including Clinical Director, Chief Operations Officer, and Executive Director of residential alcohol and drug treatment programs. I later served as Regional Program Director for a residential mental health facility. Those experiences gave me a broad understanding of addiction, co-occurring mental health concerns, treatment, and recovery that continues to inform my work today.

Approach

My style is proactive, approachable, and at times straightforward. Clients often tell me they appreciate my objectivity and authenticity. I pay attention to patterns and offer observations and feedback that may help you see things differently. If something I say doesn't resonate, we talk about it. Therapy is collaborative, and we work together to understand what is happening and determine what needs to change.

The therapeutic relationship matters. I believe effective therapy is built on trust, mutual respect, honest communication, and a willingness to work together. These values guide how I approach each therapeutic relationship.