Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Hickory, NC covered by Cigna

I have a passion for coming alongside women with complex needs including trauma, domestic violence, PTSD, faith-based abuse, identity concerns, anxiety, and depression. I believe therapy is a journey, and my role is to walk beside you—offering support, insight, and empowerment as you find your way toward healing and wholeness.

Counseling is a place of acceptance where you can learn to see your true value. You hold the keys to your happiness. You just need support to unlock that door. Doing it alone will keep you stuck. You can learn to trust again. I received specialized training in Marriage and Family Therapy. I am also a Registered Play Therapist and enhance parent-child communication. I have an office where I see individuals and families. I also have two large rooms where I teach parents how to use Play Therapy Skills.

I am offering immediate appointment slots and flexible rates during this difficult time. Are you struggling with anxiety and depression due to COVID-19? Do you feel uncertain about how to move forward during this difficult time? You may feel trapped or hopeless, but I can help you with proven coping skills and by working with you to create a new perspective. My life experience provides a solid foundation upon which I have built my techniques and interventions. In addition to my work with adults, I have experience with teens and young adults, and enjoy connecting with them and helping them navigate life and family challenges.

I spent 25 years in corporate America before earning my master's degree in professional counseling. This experience has given me insight into the stresses in the workplace. Having been a long time sufferer of anxiety, I can empathize with the weight of this emotion while also sharing techniques that have helped me live a better, more enjoyable life.

We are living in uncertain times and COVID fatigue has made daily life even more difficult to manage. It can feel overwhelming, but I will work with you to re-train your brain so that your automatic thought patterns are encouraging instead of fearful.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with several years of experience and I specialize in treating young adults, adults, and seniors. My clinical background has afforded me the fulfilling opportunity to support the mental wellness of individuals from all backgrounds. I believe in evidence-based treatment- I specialize in interventional modalities, and I now conduct Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for depression in our Charlotte office.

I hold two advanced degrees, Master of Social Work and Master of Science in Nursing Education. I integrate evidence-based modalities and techniques into my work based upon your needs. Some of the modalities I use are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Mindfulness, and Somatic Experiencing. I was a holistic nurse for 15 years assisting clients with maximizing their physical, psychological, and/or spiritual health. As a licensed clinical social worker, I have worked with clients who struggle with anxiety, depression, addiction, PTSD, complex trauma, and early childhood neglect or abuse. My clients are adults including those of diverse cultural, ethnic, and/or religious backgrounds.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the state of North Carolina. I began my journey into social work and counseling after being honorably discharged from the US Army in 2006. Due to a lengthy combat tour overseas in Iraq, I was able to gain firsthand knowledge and understanding about the devastating effects Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Close friends of mine were irrevocably changed before my eyes, and I needed to understand why that transition took place. I utilized my G.I. Bill and obtained my Master’s Degree. I have been in the social work field for over eight years, working in various settings: veteran’s programs, residential treatment facilities for youth, outpatient treatment and a substance abuse treatment facility. I have training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Trauma-Informed Care.

My belief is that real change can occur in one’s life when they work with a therapist who is genuine and unbiased; someone who has a desire to see others moving forward and living their lives to the fullest. It would be a true honor to be that individual for you or your loved one.

I earned my Masters in Social Work, and am licensed as a Clinical Social Worker. I also earned a Masters in Science in Hospice and Palliative Studies. I started this degree in Michigan, but I did my internship after I moved here in the Bereavement Department of Four Seasons Hospice in Flat Rock NC. I have continued to learn through Continuing Education. I am a lifelong learner, so I continue to learn and to teach and utilize what I have gained with clients in session. I have trained extensively in Mindfulness, Self Compassion, Compassion Focused Therapy, Grief and Loss, and Death and Dying, and Non Violent Communication. I am also trained in and utilize Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.

In my past position of working as clinical Therapist, a large part of my clientele was working with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, Communication, and focusing on working with women primarily. I would like to continue to with that focus. In the past I also worked with children and families with Intensive In Home, and people who were homeless, primarily women, with ABCCM. I learned a lot through these experiences that benefit me with my current work.

I enjoy empowering clients with ADHD to understand their gifts and strengths, and to learn ways to feel supported with the struggles of living with ADHD, by learning new coping skills, psycho education, to gain new insights, and feel stronger within themselves.

I have focused much of my clinical enjoy working with women, especially older women, guiding them toward fierce compassion, along with re-creating themselves as they are grow in strength and feel their possibilities in a new way.

Being here for you during your most vulnerable moments is truly a gift to me. I feel honored to listen and hold space for you so that you can move through whatever is bothering you. My hope is to help you realize your full potential in a space of non-judgment, comfort and healing.

I earned my Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia. From there I started working with Veterans at the VA, which I have been doing for the past 15 years. I specialize in trauma informed care, strengths based therapy and solution oriented care.

I provide support and guidance so that my clients do not have to bear their struggles alone. We work collaboratively to understand what is not working and why. We examine past patterns of experience to help us understand current feelings and behaviors. We can create lasting change and transformation by addressing the underlying issues. I emphasize individual empowerment which allows the client to own their own victories. Empowerment creates a ripple effect which can transcend every aspect of ones life not just in one specific area.