The desire to help others, modeled by my parents, took me to Wartburg College, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in social work in 2010. Afterward, I advanced to the position of program director at a community-based agency providing mental health support services to adults with chronic mental illness. In 2013, I earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Northern Iowa. I then became a medical social worker for a large home healthcare provider. From 2017 to 2021, I worked for the Veterans Health Administration, serving veterans and their spouses and caregivers. While at the VA, I counseled those living with PTSD, anxiety, depression, substance abuse disorders, and physical disabilities, providing them with patient advocacy, group therapy, individual therapy, and couples’ therapy. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and in the treatment of addictions. I am currently pursuing training and certification in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). As a therapist, I am grateful to come alongside people in their journey for change while applying interventions to support their recovery, restoration, and healing.

Being raised in a Christian household laid the foundation of my relationship with Jesus Christ. Still, it was not until college that I truly depended on the Lord for my mental, physical, and spiritual strength and experienced the healing power of his grace. Scripture reminds me that all relationships with self and others improve through faith and love. Self-love and loving others are navigational tools we can use amid any storm we face. My hope is that every person I encounter experiences a caring, empathetic, nonjudgmental spirit from me, no matter their individual faith background. I welcome all clients from any faith or with no faith background at all. 

My goal is to encourage children, adolescents, adults, and couples by focusing on their strengths while empowering them to build upon interventions and coping skills. With a warm and attentive approach, I encourage mutual feedback, believing this keeps the therapeutic relationship honest and helpful. I realize that reaching out for counseling is difficult, but the fact that you are reading this indicates you are ready to make a change. Call me at Family Renewal Counseling at 678-631-7639 to schedule an initial consultation.