My passion has always been helping and serving others, which is why I have always felt that counseling has always been my calling. I have always loved walking alongside of people and watching them grow through their own healing journeys. With compassion and empathy being two of my stronger characteristics, I too can understand the challenges and obstacles that life can sometimes bring. Since relationships and making people feel valued and unique is very important to me, I focus on creating a safe place in counseling for trust and vulnerability. Specifically, I have enjoyed working with clients to help heal past traumas, bridge family communication barriers, and help improve emotional or behavioral patterns.

My areas of focus include children aging from 5 years old to 18 years old as well as all adults. I meet individuals where they currently are and utilize integrative counseling theories that are tailored to each individual’s need such as family systems theory, developmental theory, attachment theory, strengths-based theory, and solution focused theory. I implement play-based therapy and interactive methods and approaches with my younger clients. My hope is to build genuine relationships with my clients to create a safe and supportive environment that can sometimes be direct, but also incorporate some humor as well into my sessions to help clients feel comfortable and at ease.

Having received my Masters in Mental Health Counseling as well as School Counseling from Oklahoma State University, I first began my journey as a Licensed School Counselor for the past 7 years. I have worked with ages ranging from Elementary to High School, but worked primarily with Middle Schoolers. Over the years I have spent working with kids, I have learned that it is vital to also support parents and families as they walk through different challenges. I have also worked with adults during my practicum work in graduate school at OSU’s Counseling Center which I also really enjoyed. Being at Connect and Restore is the realization of a long term goal of focusing on clinical work full time as my children got older.

I am married to my very best friend and have two sons, as well as a bonus daughter and bonus son. We have one who is just now moving to college, all the way to one just graduating from kindergarten! Of course, we are frequently busy with sports and band activities. We are active in our church and serve in various capacities there. We love spending family time together, and my husband and I love traveling any chance we get.