Someone much wiser than myself once said that while we all experience pain at various times in our lives, it’s how we choose to respond to the pain that can define who we are. Do we continue to suffer, or do we take that pain, acknowledge that it’s part of who we are, and forge ahead to build something greater? Obviously, you know life isn’t a walk through the park – someone else said that too – or you wouldn’t be looking for a therapist to help you move past the pain … and suffering … and help you make sense of where you’ve been and where you’d like to go. In 30 years as a licensed clinical social worker in North Carolina, I’ve worked in a variety of settings, including a wilderness camp, hospitals, schools, behavioral health agencies, correctional facilities, and social service agencies, where I worked primarily with foster children. No matter what setting, my passion has been in working with clients individually and helping them move past whatever they feel might be holding them back from reaching their full potential. My approach to working with clients is client-centered, strengths-centered, compassionate, and collaborative, as I believe there needs to be an explicit understanding of what we will be working on together. I draw upon years of using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness, and among my areas of interest are working with clients whose lives have been affected by trauma, grief, and substance abuse. If you are currently struggling with issues that are making things difficult for you, I commend you for having the courage to reach out. If you’re struggling in your relationships, then undoubtedly it’s affecting things at work, and vice versa. That’s the way these things go. But just as things may have felt they’re beginning to unravel piece by piece, they can also begin to be put back together. Piece by piece. It’s a process, but things CAN get better. It would be my honor to be a part of your journey, but regardless I wish you nothing but the best as you take these first steps.