A little about me

I grew up just east of Pittsburgh, where being a Steelers fan wasn’t optional and the sun often forgot to shine. As a kid, I was always moving—building forts in the woods, riding bikes around town, and getting into whatever sparked my curiosity: music, skateboards, comic books, you name it.

I found my way into the world of mental health and addiction treatment early—through two powerful hands-on internships while earning my Social Work degree at James Madison University. The classroom taught me concepts, but working with real people taught me everything else. I saw firsthand how capable people are when they have the right tools and someone to help them figure out what matters most. That’s what I wanted to do—help people build and use their own toolkits.

Before heading to grad school, I wanted to keep learning by doing. I stayed in Virginia, working with high school students and their families—focusing on resilience, personal growth, and what comes next. But the weather was still on my mind.

Growing up, I never realized how much the constant grey of western PA affected me—until I experienced regular sunshine in the Shenandoah Valley. It was like living in a dimly lit room, and then learning there’s a light switch.

That moment shaped more than just where I wanted to live—it helped me understand how environment and subtle shifts can completely change how we feel, think, and move through the world. So I kept heading south. Chasing the sun, I landed in South Carolina for graduate school at the University of South Carolina.

From there, I dug deeper into clinical work—specializing in addictions, trauma recovery, group therapy, and family systems. I worked in treatment centers, private practice, and eventually with active duty sailors and their families at the Naval Weapons Station in Charleston, SC. It was there that a new curiosity lit up for me: What does it look like to support people not just through crisis—but into purpose?

Over the next several years, I blended clinical work with leadership coaching, organizational effectiveness, and culture change. I worked with business owners and managers, designed and facilitated leadership trainings, and helped teams align and get clear on vision and values. Eventually, I stepped fully into that world—joining a multi-state staffing company as Director of Leadership and Culture, and later serving as Vice President. It was my chance to put theory into practice—testing everything I’d learned about communication, motivation, conflict, and what actually moves the needle in organizations.

Today, I bring all of that experience into my own practice. I understand how hard it can be to push for change alone, and sometimes it seems even harder to reach out for support. Sometimes just figuring out the first steps can be the hardest part. I am a passionate, engaged therapist who brings energy to each session with a focus on compassion and non-judgement. I love the work I do and I love seeing the change people make with the right tools and support.

Whether I’m working with an individual in therapy, an executive in coaching, or a team in training, my goal is always the same: to help people see clearly, show up fully, and move forward with purpose. People are resourceful. Sometimes we just need the right support, the right tools, and a bit of sunlight.

If you’re ready to start exploring change, call or email to begin your next steps forward!