Welcome
Welcome
Growing Up
Growing Up
What do you get when you combine a 70's rock singer and an elementary school teacher? Me!
I am the oldest child of young and loving parents who lived life as an adventure. When I reflect on growing up, what seems to surface most is that I had an unconventional/conventional childhood, a dichotomy of sorts. My dad was and still is in the music business and was the front man for a variety of different groups throughout my life. My mother is an early elementary school educator and has worked as a teacher, a Sunday School coordinator, and a devotional and Christian curriculum author.
My parents life choices provided me a collection of childhood memories that include a diversity of people and places around the world. Because of the of moves that we made across the country and the changes in their professions and our lifestyles, I grew up to appreciate people and how significant we are to each other. Being the new kid in school many times, taught me to appreciate a new friend. Exposure to new people and new places also allowed me to see that all people, regardless of our personality, background, status, gender, profession, or address are very much in need the same intangible things.
Professionally
Professionally
I attended Belmont University and graduated 1997 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Minor in Music. Soon after graduation I started a specialty paint business providing custom murals, wall and built in furniture finishes and color consult in commercial and home settings. After my husband and I adopted our oldest son, I had a huge perspective and priority change (As so many of us do:), and began to re-envision my life to include a different and meaningful way to serve others. Instead of focusing on aesthetics my hope was to walk with others as they embark on changing their lives.
In 2009, after getting to spend several years at home with our two sons, I enrolled at Trevecca Nazarene University and graduated in 2011 with a Masters in the Art of Counseling. Three years later I had earned my LPC-MHSP license with the State of Tennessee. I have also invested in additional training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for trauma (EMDR), Emotionally Focused Couples and Individual Therapy (EFT and EFIT). I am also a certified Prepare-Enrich Facilitator.
CLINICAL SPECIALTIES: Couples Counseling, Depression, Grief, Anxiety, Trauma/PTSD, Relationship issues, Attachment/Bonding Issues, Personal Growth, and Work/Life Balance.
Family Life
Family Life
I am grateful I met my husband, Dan, in 1996 during my Senior year at Belmont. We married in 1998 and a few years later were blessed to adopt our sons, Max and Logan. Max was born in 2002, and is now a 17 year old Junior at Hume Fogg High School. In 2005 Logan was born, and he is a 14 year old 8th grader at Oliver Middle School. We have a full and active home with music, art and gaming almost 24/7.
To complete the picture, I have to mention, Zoe, our Maltipoo protector. She barks to tell us anytime someone is walking by. I can't leave out Rusty and Waxer the cats who are always close by. They spend their time wrestling each other on top of papers I lay down. They can also be found in a cozy spot in the sun.
When I am not in session or driving one of the boys back and forth through Nashville to school, youth group or some other event, you will find me at home painting, sewing, researching genealogy on ancestry.com, cooking or listening to audio books while I scroll through my Pinterest or Instagram feed and dream about beautiful destinations to visit someday.