WHO I AM
I grew up in Rockford, Illinois, eventually migrating to Texas for law school, then practiced law in Texas for 13 years. The last few years of my legal practice, I attended St. Edward’s University to obtain my MA in Counseling. As a working mother, I try to approach life with a sense of humor and acceptance of some level of controlled chaos. I believe it is helpful to know your therapist is a “real” person, so here is some more information about me:
- I was born in South Korea and adopted at the age of 6 months.
- I have fostered children and adopted a baby.
- I am divorced and remarried.
- I have a blended family of four adult stepchildren, two young children, and four step-grandchildren.
- I am a Chicago Bears and Ohio State Buckeyes fan and love football.
- I love all kinds of games, especially poker.
- I love to cook, eat, and read about food.
HOW I WORK
I believe that you are the one who knows yourself best. The insight that can come from therapy is often the result of illuminating truth and understanding that you already hold inside yourself. I believe there are certain core beliefs and ways of relating established in early development that shape our views and impact our way of relating to others. I want to create a safe, warm environment to explore those beliefs and relationships. My clinical approach is trauma-informed, attachment-oriented, psychodynamic, relational, and existential. I aim to constantly increase my cultural competency as an inclusive therapist who supports diversity and desires to advance social justice. I am LGBTQIA+ affirming.
WHO I WORK WITH
Based on my own background and experience, I have a special passion for working with:
- Adoptees
- Individuals grappling with existential questions or identity issues
- Individuals/couples looking to foster or adopt children
- Individuals/couples struggling with infertility
- Lawyers
- Parents
CREDENTIALS
The Ohio State University, B.A, Classics
The University of Texas School of Law, JD
St. Edward’s University, MA in Counseling
LPC Associate Texas License No. 83710, Supervised by Dena Roberts, Ph.D., LPC-S, License No. 14102
Telehealth for Mental Health Professionals Distance Therapy Training by Joni Gilbertson
Completed Levels 1 and 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy
Completed IFS Online Circle: Foundations of the IFS Model Training by Dr. Richard Schwartz, Toni Herbine-Blank, and Pamela Krause
Somatic Experiencing® International Training
through Intermediate III Level
EMDR Basic Training
