Hi! I’m currently a second year student at VCU in the clinical track MSW program and I am completing my field placement at Active & Connected Family Therapy during the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters. My professional experience thus far has consisted of working with young adults/adults, in a variety of crisis settings, who have challenges related to trauma, serious mental illness, behavioral challenges, substance use and existential crisis. I practice through person-centered, trauma informed, strengths based, and empowerment lenses; this means I do not use judgment when working with people; I value that people are the expert of their own experiences. My experience enhances my ability to help clients navigate various systems and resources to enhance their ability to thrive. I enjoy integrating mindfulness, humor, expressive arts, self-compassion and values work into practice to support a client’s journey connecting with their core self. Treatment modalities I commonly use are CBT/DBT, psychodynamic, parts work, trauma resourcing.
Before I decided to be a social worker, I was in the art and design field. Over the years, through both direct experience and interactions with colleagues, I would ultimately find myself connecting, again, with my core values of compassion and service. I decided to entertain the idea that I could be a change agent as well as support people in changing their own lives.
I grew up in the small college town of Farmville, VA and have had the pleasure of living and working in rural, suburban and urban settings all over Virginia. I currently live in Charlottesville and spend my free time in nature as well as with my yorkiepoo puppy, Max, and conure, Quincey. I also enjoy crafts, traveling and learning about new places.