I have a Master in Social Work degree from St. Louis University and am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.
I have worked with families, teens and children in different community settings for many years, as a professional and as a volunteer. I have been a therapist and clinical supervisor in agencies, providing counseling services to families and adolescents. My agency work has given me experience with individuals and families who face the most difficult challenges in the mental health community. When working with families, the focus is often on helping them to rebuild their relationships when some or all are in conflict. I appreciate and enjoy working with adolescents who have such a fresh and unique view of the world. I also enjoy working with parents who are worried and frustrated with their adolescents and need help with those relationships and sometimes with the destructive behaviors of their teens. I understand how hard it is to raise a family; I have two adult children. Families are complicated AND families are rewarding. My passion is to help families wade through the difficulties of their lives, and to gain skills to find what they have always loved and appreciated about each other.
I have always had a special interest for the issues that women face in our society. The physical, emotional and psychological problems that stem from women's environments and our larger society affect everyones' lives. My work with individuals is framed from an understanding of these issues which are often deeply engrained and patterned. These issues often encompass health related problems, eating disorders, self-harming behaviors, a lowered sense of self-worth and confidence, and, with all of those, struggles with relationships. I work from a non-judgmental point of view, understanding that blame is not helpful. My goal is to facilitate healing and health.
