In 1999, I graduated from Clarion University of Pennsylvania with my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. I went on to earn my Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 2002. I became a Nationally Certified Counselor in the same year. In 2003, I collaborated with a team of 5 colleagues in the development of a Dialectical Behavior Therapy based residential facility for females diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. In 2005, I received my Pennsylvania State License in Professional Counseling. I have used my knowledge and skills in Psychology to work in the State Correctional System, a Drug and Alcohol facility, and community mental health agencies before going into a small group private counseling practice in 2011. I then reached my lifetime goal of opening my own private counseling practice in early 2016. I was voted "Top Licensed Professional Counselor in the Murrysville/Export area" for 2015-2016 by "The Worldwide Leaders In Healthcare".

I specialize in treating adults and teens with Mental Health needs. I take an integrative approach to Counseling where I select certain techniques from different therapeutic models and use them together. The techniques I choose to use may be different from patient to patient depending on what I feel is best for each specific individual and his or her particular needs. The models I use consist of Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Transpersonal Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Person Centered Therapy. I have been intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy which is a specific, very structured and intense form of Cognitive Behavior Therapy. My job as a Psychotherapist is to actively listen to each and every patient and to teach them healthy, positive coping skills to replace any negative coping skills that they may have chosen, or learned. Coping skills are needed to help people cope with anything from frustrating day to day situations to difficult life circumstances that they may be struggling with, deep rooted personal problems and past or present trauma. I believe in treating a person as a whole... Mind, Body, and Spirit. I work with a myriad of different mental health conditions in the adult/teen population including but not limited to Depression/Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Eating Disorders, Schizophrenia, Drug and Alcohol Addictions, and Personality Disorders.

One of my biggest passions is working with patients who have Chronic Pain Conditions and their families. Chronic Pain is often accompanied by Depression and Anxiety creating a vicious cycle of increased pain causing increased Depression and Anxiety which in turn creates even more pain. Not only have I intensively studied the effects of Chronic Pain and the multi-disciplinary approach needed to treat and cope with Chronic Pain conditions, I also experience Chronic Pain of my own on a daily basis. I have relied upon my faith as well as other treatment modalities that have made up my own multi-disciplinary treatment plan that works for me! Following my plan has helped me transform my conditions into my own personal strength and growth!

I look forward to working with you! "Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength."