About Me
I have made Northern Illinois my home since my family and I moved here from Southern California in 2013. My passion is accompanying people as they re-discover their spark and joy in life. 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).
In my 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.
Credentials
Certifications/Licensing
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) - 149.021002
Education
- 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
- EMDR Trained Clinician
- Brainspotting Clinician - Phase 1 and 2
- TF-CBT - Certification in process
- Think Cultural Health Training
- SafeZone Training
Experience
I have over 15 years of experience as a professional social worker. I began my career working in group homes as a direct care staff. I provided my clients a sense of consistency and a sense of feeling seen and heard. I transitioned into a role with Child Welfare in Southern California and worked as an 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 this position I supervise MSW interns and provide clinical supervision for LCSW candidates.
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 Acute Stress Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I am experienced in culturally-informed care, 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.
