Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Iowa)

Education

• Master of Science in Counseling, Community Counseling Concentration, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Sociology Minor, Truman State University

Counseling approach/clinical interests

I believe people have the capacity to overcome problems and deserve access to tools and resources that allow them to do so. Through counseling, I serve as a non-biased support system and collaborate with clients to identify, learn, access, strengthen, and effect skills, in order to move forward with a greater sense of self, a stronger sense of wellness and empowerment, and more positive relationships. I strive to connect with and understand clients as individuals and offer a non-judgmental and considerate space that allows clients to feel safe to be honest, vulnerable, and challenged. I work from a solution-focused, strengths-based framework, which focuses on coping skills, thoughts, choices, and wellness. I understand that each client is unique and cannot be served by the same approach, so I draw from several evidence-based treatments, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Reality Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

My clinical interests include issues and concerns related to performance, transition, resilience, and adjustment. I have over a decade of experience working with college students, having focused treatment on depression, anxiety, stress, grief, adjustment difficulties, leadership, and identity development.

Multicultural interests

I am committed to contributing to intersectional equity, personally and professionally. I believe advocacy is the essence of counseling, and I work to inform my practice through a trauma-informed lens, actively advocating at individual, community, and systemic levels. I am particularly interested in the impacts of code-switching in therapy and strive (through education and informed adjustments to my approach) to provide an environment in which code-switching does not feel necessary or expected. I also have a passion for working with students who experience matters related to undocumented or DACA status.

Outreach interests

I am passionate about outreach as an intervention and find it to be one of my favorite parts of my job. I have provided both passive and active outreach to a variety of populations, including students, faculty, staff, and communities. I especially enjoy leading skill-development workshops and have extensive experience supporting students in developing coping and leadership skills. I also enjoy drawing from positive psychology concepts to present from a wellness perspective, helping participants consider how to stay well or enhance wellness.

Professional affiliations

I am a current member of the American College Counseling Association and the American Counseling Association. I previously served on the directorate of the Commission for Counseling and Psychological Services of the American College Personnel Association.