I grew up Northern Virginia. I graduated from James Madison University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Business. I found my way into the IT field and worked primarily as a data analyst for more than a decade. One day it hit me: My soul felt dead. I could not keep working my rear off just to make C-level execs richer. I HAD to find a way to directly, impactfully help others while still being able to make a living. After considerable thought and career exploration, I decided that counseling aligned with both my strengths and my values. A few years later, I earned a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology - Professional Counselor Licensure Track from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Washington, DC. I worked as a School Psychologist in the SPED department of an elementary school for my practicum and internship. I then worked as a case manager and counselor in Community Mental Health for my residency. Soon after I got licensed to practice professional counseling in the State of Virginia, I began working in outpatient private practice. I have had my own solo counseling practice and have worked for two group practices in the past. I have also provided clinical supervision to pre-licensed counselors. Throughout graduate school and during my years working in the counseling field, I have taken countless clinical trainings. Here are just a few: The Gottman Method, Level 1 (couples therapy); Accelerated Resolution Training, Basic (trauma processing); two robust suicide prevention trainings, Collaborative Assessment & Management of Suicidality (CAMS) and The Clinician’s Suicide Prevention Summit: Treatment Strategies to Inspire Hope and Save Lives; and When Your Partner is on the Autism Spectrum: Individual Therapy for the Neurotypical Partner.