I recently relocated my private practice to Cave Spring Professional Center after almost a year with the spectacular group at Therapy Works on Brambleton Avenue. Prior to that I spent four incredible years at Avenues to Recovery, a local addictions treatment center. I joined the Avenues staff in 2004 and served as program director until November of 2008. During my time as program director (with the help of a devoted, exceptional staff) I developed, built and managed a state-licensed adolescent intensive outpatient program for kids with substance abuse and behavioral problems. I also served as director for the existing adult intensive outpatient program. I have experience working with addicted families in both an individual and multi-family setting; working with teenagers and adults struggling with mood disorders, low self esteem and a myriad of other issues that begin to surface after an individual establishes abstinence from substance use. My current practice is about 50% adult and 50% adolescent. Working with both populations is a privilege.

In terms of education, I received my bachelor's degree from JMU and my master's in counseling from Virginia Tech. I have been working with individuals with substance abuse and addiction disorders since 1996. I am licensed by the state of Virginia as a Licensed Profession Counselor and am a Certified Anger Management Treatment Provider. I am currently working toward a designation as a Master Addictions Counselor. My way of being with clients and my beliefs about how people change are captured in "Motivational Interviewing" by Miller and Rollnick.  I am strong proponent of client empowerment and holistic healing in therapy.