Originally from Canada, I have made my home for the last eighteen years in Florida, practicing Social Work for seventeen of those years. My passion for therapy stems from growing up and advocating for a mother who had Schizophrenia, a disease that is often feared and stigmatized by society. Unfortunately, my family too has been touched by the disease of addiction and suicide. Through my work, I am committed to helping people overcome addictions to alcohol and drugs, depression, anxiety, and other stresses that affect all of us at some time in our lives. I believe that healing is a collaborative endeavor that requires honest caring without judgment, and I cooperatively assist my clients in clarifying their goals for treatment. Rather than adopting one methodology for all individuals and issues, I draw from a variety of methods to create a tailored approach for each individual and situation. As a therapist, I am warm, open, encouraging, and direct. I consider myself an active therapist, and compassionate person combining experience, education, creativity, and sense of humor with a down-to-earth, realistic approach to counseling.
Prior to transitioning over to Human Resources Officer, I was the lead therapist exceling at maintaining all the clinical documentation in the clinical department of detox/residential while carrying a case load and supervising interns. The agency felt my both my organizational skills and compassion for others would make me the right fit for the Human Resources Department. I have over 5 years of experience as a mental health therapist. Before going back to school and obtaining my master’s in social work, I was a Certified Child Welfare Supervisor for almost 14 years. I saw the lives of many children touched by addiction and untreated mental illness. I have assisted many families work towards a better future through case management, therapy, and advocacy. I have also worked with adolescents and adults in the community, residential treatment centers and other psychiatric settings. I have vast experience counseling clients with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse. My background enables me to be an extremely effective Social Worker and Human Resource Officer who is comfortable counseling diverse groups of people and employees.
My credentials include the following: Master of Social Work (MSW), University of Louisville, Kentucky, Bachelor of Sociology & Criminology, Saint Mary’s University, Nova Scotia, Canada, Diploma in Computers Systems, Nova Scotia Institute of Technology, Microsoft certified (MOUS) & Green Belt Lean Six Sigma.