Credentials & Experience
I am a Florida licensed psychologist (PY 7620). I earned my Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Georgia State University. My internship and post-doctoral residency were completed at the Medical College of Georgia / Augusta Veterans Administration Consortium and the Miami Veterans Administration Healthcare System, respectively. My internship and residency programs both had special emphasis in health psychology. I am verified by Psychology Today and a member of the Christian Counselors Network of Focus On The Family.
In addition to my counseling private practice I am an adjunct professor at Knox Theological Seminary, and serve in women’s ministry at my church. I am also an author and a professional speaker in business, medical, and Christian arenas.
My Approach to Counseling
The World Health Organization defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” It is my profound honor to walk alongside individuals who are humble enough to recognize that they are not reaching their full potential in each of these areas, and who are also courageous enough to make necessary emotional, thinking, or behavioral changes.
My academic training and clinical experience well-equip me to work with a great diversity of people who face a wide variety of health and psychological challenges. As such, I am able to competently and sincerely offer people hope and change for more healthy and satisfying emotional, cognitive, and behavioral living. I work collaboratively with clients to live authentically in the present, make healthy personal choices, and take personal responsibility for oneself even in the face of adversity.
I view clients within the full context of their life circumstances, and generally utilize cognitive-behavioral techniques and treatment planning. With a versatile and broad clinical background, I assist people who are facing depression, anxiety, stress, anger, trauma, and relationship challenges. My health psychology emphases and clinical expertise are in the psychological management of chronic pain, chronic and terminal illnesses, palliative (end-of-life) care, and grief. I work with adults in both individual and group psychotherapy.
In addition to the medical field, clients are often referred from the Christian community. This is because I am active in my faith community, upfront about my belief, and find that integration of a client’s beliefs with psychotherapy can be profoundly meaningful. However, it is at the complete discretion of each client to determine if or how faith is an aspect of their psychotherapy. If a client seeks Christian counsel, then I help them integrate Biblical truth with psychological understanding to bring about healing and change in their lives. Regardless of religious faith, every client is treated with respect, integrity, honesty, and warmth in a safe and confidential relationship.