About Me
I have made Northern Illinois my home since my family and I moved here from Southern California in 2013. My passion is supporting my clients and staff alike as they re-discover their spark in all aspects of life. This is done through individual and group therapy, clinical professional supervision, and a variety of training levels for non-profits, healthcare systems, and corporations.
I am committed to promoting recovery and wellness for people who have experienced traumatic events (e.g., domestic/intimate partner violence, complex childhood trauma, sexual/physical assault, community violence, bullying, and hate crimes) and providing equitable access to care for people who are diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I work to open doors for marginalized practitioners and ensure there is always a seat at the table.
In my clinical practice I work from a trauma informed care perspective, utilizing a collaborative, client-centered approach. You are the expert on your life. We will work together to identify goals that provide you a sense of accomplishment in therapy, and increase your overall wellness and balance in your life.
In clinical supervision I enjoy “workshopping” complex diagnosis and encourage practicing expansively to meet your client’s needs. Intersectionality plays a huge role in my practice and supervision style. I am a culturally responsive leader, working to understand and support the unique challenges experienced by marginalized social service practitioners.
Credentials
Certifications/Licensing
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) - 149.021002
Education
- Doctor of Social Work (DSW) - anticipated May 2027 - University of Kentucky
- Master of Social Work (MSW) - 2008 - California State University, Long Beach
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) - 2005 - California State University, Long Beach
- Certification in Gerontology - 2005 - California State University, Long Beach
Specialized Training
- NTG Affiliated Regional Trainer
- EMDR Trained Clinician
- Brainspotting Clinician - Phase 1 and 2
- TF-CBT - Certification in process
- Think Cultural Health Training
- SafeZone Training
Experience
I have over 20 years of experience as a professional social worker. I began my career working in group homes as a direct care staff and now oversee a mental health program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Throughout all of my roles, I have provided my clients with a sense of consistency and knowledge that they were seen and heard. While in California, I worked as a child welfare investigator, court liaison, staff mentor, and supervisor for MSW interns. In 2013, I moved to Northern Illinois and transitioned my career to hospice social work for nearly eight years before moving into a direct therapy role. In that position I returned to supervising MSW interns and began providing clinical supervision for LCSW candidates. Since 2023, I have worked in direct leadership roles with survivors of domestic violence and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
I enjoy and am competent in working with children (ages 6+), adolescents, and adults, both individually and in group settings, regarding a variety of traumatic experiences resulting in adjustment disorder and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I practice cultural humility, welcoming to BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, and comfortable exploring gender identity questions.
I have extensive experience working with teenagers in high-risk situations. I volunteered as a case manager for teen mothers, interned in a partial hospitalization program for teens, and provided counseling to teenagers in a continuation high school.
Through my hospice work, I gained experience working with complicated grief and bereavement, navigating end of life decisions, and the stress experienced by the “sandwich generation.” Additionally, during my undergraduate program, I had the pleasure of leading intergenerational discussion groups with women in their 80s.
