Getting started with the process of therapy can be a challenging undertaking for many reasons. It is a very personal process and can be a space where immense transformation occurs. This begins with the safety and comfort of a therapeutic relationship. I hope to give you an idea of my background and approach to treatment so you can make an informed decision about where to invest your time. Most importantly, I hope you try and experience meeting with different therapists until you find the fit right for you. I am a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Georgia (CSW0004209) and I obtained my masters degree at Valdosta State University (VSU) in their accredited Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) program. In school I learned about both clinical and community practice to develop the requisite skills to practice in many settings such as schools, hospitals, mental health, residential treatment, child welfare, forensic, geriatric, hospice, and many others. While attending VSU I served as President of the Master of Social Work Class 2005-2006 and served as Vice President of the Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society from 2004-2006. I have been in good standings as a member of the National Association of Social Workers since 2004 and I am a member of the Georgia Society for Clinical Social Work. In 2018 I was appointed a term by Governor Nathan Deal to serve on the Georgia Composite Board for Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapist. During my term, I also had the privilege to serve on the Complaints Subcommittee and assisted in rewriting the existing social work rules.

As a member of the Association of Social Work Boards, I served as the Georgia delegate to represent Georgia's jurisdiction at the 2018 and 2019 ASWB Annual Delegate Assembly. In this role, I was responsible for participating in the election of board members and the nominating committee as well as vote on proposed resolutions and changes in the ASWB by-laws.

My clinical training has spanned a variety of settings such as an inpatient psychiatric hospital, intensive outpatient hospital, community mental health, school social work, and writing clinical recommendations and assessments for juvenile court.

After completing my clinical training, I relocated to Athens Georgia and I have been treating individuals, families, and couples in private practice with a wide variety of presenting problems and varying clinical needs.

In 2018, I became a Board Certified- Tele-mental Health Provider. So what does that mean? The Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider credential identifies those professionals who are uniquely trained in best practices for delivering traditional behavioral healthcare through technological means. BC-TMH credential holders have met nationally established telemental health criteria. I have successfully completed both the in-person and online portion of the intensive training and passed the comprehensive final examination. In addition I am to obtain continuing education credits every 2 years to maintain my BC-TMH credential. Currently, I am approved to provide telemental health therapy to any resident in Georgia.

I am tendered as an expert witness in child development and domestic violence in the Ocmulgee Circuit – Eighth Judicial District. In the past I have served as a television consultant on WMAZ in Macon Georgia in a segment called Your Child; currently I write a monthly column for the Walton County Tribune. I am also a part time faculty member with Valdosta State University's School of Social Work.

Outside of my work I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and of course, my dogs.