The Mental Health Therapist at Your Service!

Hello All! Welcome to the page that tells you more about the mental health therapist behind the scenes. I hope this website brings comfort in knowing that you are encouraged to be yourself and to carry this encouragement into all areas of your life.

Let me share my professional experience in order to develop trust and assurance that your concerns are strictly confidential and respected.

My Professional Life:

I received my Bachelors in Psychology in 2003 from Eastern Illinois University and my Masters in Clinical Psychology in 2005, also from Eastern Illinois University. Although I am new to the field, I can assure you that I am confident and knowledgeable in what I do.

I currently work as a mental health therapist in a rural area of Southern Illinois. Although my work is challenging, my clients continue to inspire me. I am always at awe at their stories, their challenges, and triumphs. It takes a lot to address your personal issues with a stranger, and I always commend my clients for having the courage to take on this challenge.

I treat a variety of people with the typical age ranging from 18-70. I have also worked with children during previous employment. In addition, I facilitate a Family Violence Intervention Program geared towards helping domestic violence perpetrators choose healthier, alternative methods to violent behavior.

The common diagnoses that a mental health therapist treats are generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, major depression, bi-polar, adjustment disorders, schizophrenia, personality disorders, and post traumatic stress disorder(PTSD).

The goals that the client and I work on are specific for each client. However, the most common goals include: Improving/stabilizing mood. Improving self-esteem. (This is an area where the majority, if not all, of my clients struggle with, which is also the main inspiration for this website.) Improving relationships. Building communication skills. Developing healthier coping-skills. Thought Control. (This is where I help a client become aware of their negative thinking and teach them how to change these thoughts to a more positive mentality.) Creating a healthy lifestyle such as eating right and exercising.

The average amount of clientele I see on a daily basis are three to seven individuals. This averages out to be about 15-35 clients a week.

The session typically lasts for one hour and it's often in my office, but sometimes I am able to do a visit at a client's home. I usually do not do phone counseling because I feel face to face contact is better; however, this depends on the situation.

So, as you can guess, I treat a lot of people, and from this, I have gained a lot of knowledge, insights, and wisdom.

What inspired me to become a mental health therapist?

I am very passionate about my work as a mental health therapist and I love educating others about the skills I have learned from my professional experience. However, my passion began way before becoming a therapist.

As a child, I found myself very interested in teaching others what I knew about making life meaningful, and for some reason, I have always been blessed with good insight and judgment.

My grandma use to tell me, "You are wise among your years." However, I like to believe that I have gained this insight from my personal experiences of disappointment, frustration, and from life in general.

My insight is also from being very observant about the choices I make, the relationships I am or have been involved in, how I feel about myself, and what others need in order to be happy within themselves.

Since I have been working as a mental health therapist, I have decided to share my experience with others as a professional and as a human being through this wonderful website hosted by Site Build It!

I believe many people will benefit from the information, advice, and tools I provide on this site. It's everything I've learned through my lifetime, and for the most part, it's free of charge!

My hope is that you will take what you can from this site and apply it to living a life of self-love. Self-love is the best gift that you could ever give yourself, your family, your friends, and your acquaintances.

When you love yourself, you love your life, and when you love your life, life becomes meaningful and fulfilling. Once you begin loving yourself, you'll notice that you no longer feel insecure, unhappy, or like something is missing in your life.

Who Am I Outside of Being a Therapist

Other than helping others learn how to love themselves, I am a wife and companion of two cats and one chocolate lab. My husband is a full-time student studying Geography hoping to become a teacher or find a job where he can work outside someday.

We do not have any children at this time, but I can't wait to become a mother when the time is right. We have been together since 2003. I love him dearly and thank God for him daily.

So, that's me in a nutshell, and because I believe in the power of uniqueness, I am always interested in hearing about your stories and learning more about you.

So, please drop me a line to tell me about yourself and whether or not you need some advice. Let me know if there is anything on this site you would love to see and I will do everything in my power to create it!

I wish you well and many blessings on your journey of loving yourself.

If you would like to know more about my personality, strengths, weaknesses, and much more check out the Fun Personality Survey. You can share more about who you are as well.

With Love,

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