THRIVE

My Story

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and lived in several states, finally settling down here in the beautiful Seattle area since 1997.  As a young teenager I endured abuse and my only coping skill at that time was to escape with alcohol and drugs. This began a 23 year battle in and out of active addiction and a roller coaster ride of unhealthy relationships.  In 2008 I made my decision to begin working towards recovery. Today I am happy to say I am substance free and life has never been better.

​

I decided to become a substance use counselor and have been working in this field since 2012, advancing to become a Clinical Supervisor in addition to direct counseling.  I have worked in Behavioral Health Outpatient programs, Residential Inpatient and Co-Occurrring facilities, joining with various Therapeutic Courts and programs. This has been the most rewarding career path as I love to give back to others the gifts which were given to me.  I have returned back to school to continue my education of gaining my Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling.  

​

My therapeutic approach is trauma informed, culturally diverse and collaborative.  I use a variety of techniques such as Motivational Interviewing, Client Centered, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Meditation and Solution Focused methods.  Partnering with others to develop a strong Relapse Prevention plan, increase self-esteem, remove shame and guilt and develop coping skills are just the beginning. I utilize integrated medicine and holistic approaches for a healthier way of life.

​