Intensively Trained in DBT
Areas of focus include issues resulting from relational trauma including:
- Attachment Disorders in Children, Teens & Adults (including RAD)
- Depression
- PTSD & Complex PTSD
- Personality Disorders (including BPD)
- Dissociative Disorders (including DID)
- Reproductive Trauma & Postpartum
- Anxiety & Panic Disorder
- Social Anxiety
Clinical Focus & Approach to Therapy
As an attachment focused therapist, I am keenly aware of the ways in which our relationships with others can shape who we are as people and how we view ourselves. Those relationships (attachments) begin to develop immediately after birth, and can ultimately affect our ability to cope with everything, from daily stressors to traumatic experiences. The patterns formed in these early attachment relationships are at the root of who we are, what we do, and how we interact.
I am devoted to working with people to produce beneficial change in their relationships, and within themselves, in order to create a healthy difference in their lives. Clients with a wide array of presenting problems can benefit from increasing awareness of learned patterns of thought and behavior. Becoming more conscious of how these patterns affect our lives allows for incredible change, growth and happiness. In working together, on whatever issues bring you to therapy, I look forward to sharing your joy as you see the progressive results of your efforts and accomplishments in counseling.
My Training
My educational background includes a Masters degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Texas in Austin, and a Bachelors degree in Business Marketing from Indiana University in Bloomington. Prior to beginning my work in private practice, I completed my clinical internship at a domestic violence, sexual assault and out patient therapy center. I continued to work with this agency after finishing school providing individual, group and family counseling to both adult and child clients. I have received specialized training in the neurobiology of mental health, particularly as it pertains to attachment related disorders and relational trauma. I am "intensively trained" in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) through Marsha Linehan's organization Behavioral Tech. Behavioral Tech provides the only rigorous, six month long training program approved by Linehan. I am also a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). This means I have completed 15 hours of coursework and passed testing in order to ethically provide phone and video chat counseling services. I have had the amazing opportunity to receive excellent training in a wide array of play therapy techniques for children, and adults, of all ages. I enjoy continuously learning more about my field and ways to help my clients. I read extensively on topics that will benefit my clients, and I regularly attend continuing education workshops.
I am licensed to practice mental health counseling as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Georgia by the Georgia State Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists, and in the state of Virginia by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Health Professions Board of Social Work. This designation is achieved by attending a Master’s degree level program at an accredited university, completing two supervised clinical internship experiences, passing a comprehensive exam of Master’s course work, completing 3000 hours of post graduate clinical experience, 120 hours of supervision, obtaining letters of recommendation and finally passing an advanced licensure exam covering knowledge of clinical social work. I ascribe and adhere to the ethical and professional standards put forth by the Georgia State Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists, Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Health Professions Board of Social Work as well as National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.
