My Background

I began my career working in a community mental health center, motivated by a desire to help individuals overcome their personal challenges and improve their mental health. I started off in direct care and case management and eventually managed an adult outpatient mental health clinic. While working in that setting, I provided psychotherapy to the individuals we served who were facing severe mental illnesses, such as Depression, Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. At the same time, I provided psychoeducation classes at a local counseling center to individuals with court-mandated requirements for battering, family violence, theft and related charges. After spending over a decade in community mental health, I moved on to working in the local probate courts in the area of guardianship. There, I assessed individuals experiencing cognitive impairments such as intellectual disabilities and developmental disorders as well as people with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other conditions that potentially left them incapacitated and unable to manage their physical or mental health, finances and other affairs. After spending over five years in the courts, my own life experiences reignited my passion for helping people on a clinical level, and I began my private practice.

I have a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. I have completed training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and I am a certified provider for Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD. I have also trained in perinatal mental health with Postpartum Support International and the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health. I currently serve as both a parent mentor and on the NICU Family Advisory Council at Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth.

My Story

I believe that people can overcome obstacles and bounce back from stressful events, but sometimes they don’t have the tools or support to get there. Everyone deserves to find joy and fulfillment in their lives and become the best version of themselves. After working with many people over the years, I have found that how individuals feel and act not only affects them, but also their family, friends and others they come into contact with. This then creates a ripple effect that can be either positive or negative. With therapy I aim to not just provide emotional support, but to teach individuals how to identify maladaptive thoughts about themselves, others and the world, and then challenge and change these thoughts so that they can improve their relationships and interactions with others, find positive ways to cope, and move forward so they can meet their goals and feel whole.

I have experienced my own share of life stressors over the years. The biggest challenge was the traumatic birth of my son who was born prematurely, and spent over three months in the NICU. I found it incredibly difficult to take care of myself while worrying if my child would live and make it through his hospital stay, be happy and healthy, be “normal” and catch up to other kids, all of which continued after we discharged from the hospital. It was difficult to explain my situation to family and friends, especially when they had not been in my shoes and could not truly understand what I was going through. Luckily, I found support within the NICU with other parents, the nursing staff and therapists both while we were in the hospital and after we left. This sparked my desire to help other families who were dealing with the similar situations as what I had been through.

Outside of therapy, I am a wife and proud mom of a toddler who constantly surprises, amazes, and baffles me. I truly enjoy spending quality time my family, and cherish the time we share together. I also love to cook and challenge myself with new recipes, and I am an avid baker and cake decorator.