About Me:

Born and raised in Central Florida, I attended the University of South Florida where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice. I decided to get out of the heat and come to NC for graduate school, and made my way to Boone to attend Appalachian State University. I graduated with a Master’s degree in Human Development and Psychological Counseling.

I have a lot of initials after my name! What do they all mean?

• LCMHC: Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (NC) #4196

• CCTP: Certified Clinical Trauma Professional

• CIMHP: Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional

• CFRC: Certified First Responder Counselor

I am a registered telehealth provider for the states of South Carolina and Florida (#TPMC1323) which means I can see clients via telehealth who reside in those states. (Both states have laws requiring that my website has a link to their Board’s website: Florida: https://flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/. South Carolina: https://llr.sc.gov/TeleHealth/Counselor.html).

I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, which means that I specialize in treating trauma. It does not mean I utilize a specific modality (see services page), but rather that my training and education centers around trauma and its effects on the brain and the person, and how to best treat someone who has experienced trauma.

I am a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional which means that I am trained in complementary and alternative therapies to facilitate whole-person treatment and healing. I have a separate business, Lotus Life Integrated Wellness, LLC (website coming soon), which is a personal and health coaching practice. I am additionally certified as a Functional Nutrition Counselor (CFNC) and a Board-Certified Functional Health Coach (BC-FHC). While my coaching services are strictly offered through my adjunct business, I do utilize a lot of my education with my therapy clients.

As a First Responder Counselor, I have also had extensive training in First Responder Culture. Outside of the classroom, I have completed the Burlington Community Police Academy and I currently serve as a Police Volunteer for the department. I go on as many ride-alongs as I can, and look forward to starting ride-alongs with the Fire Department soon. My pup Lexi is in training to be a Therapy Dog, and has recently become the Burlington Police Department’s Therapy dog and we will be visiting fire departments soon too. I am also currently working on an additional certification through the National Emergency Responder and Public Safety Center as a certified clinician, as well as applying to the Fraternal Order of Police to be fully vetted as an approved provider.

I am part of the Star Behavioral Health Provider registry, which means I am committed to serving our Military Service Members and have taken trainings to ensure that as a civilian Behavioral Health provider, I am well versed in Military Culture and challenges that are specific to Military Service. I am also a Military One Source provider and accept TriCare and VA Community Care referrals. (I am also a military family member, and the family member of a retired first responder!)

I am currently in training to be a YOGA FOR FIRST RESPONDERS instructor! RIght now you can find me at the Burlington Training Facility practicing while I get licensed, after that I plan to teach at the BTF for Burlington PD and Fire, but if you’re interested in having me teach at your agency, please reach out for details regarding contracts and MOUs.

I have recently been hired by Alamance Community College as a Basic Law Enforcement Training Instructor! I assist with scenarios, discuss first responder mental health, and nerd-out on the neuroscience of body mechanics, breathwork, functional wellness, and stress-management techniques. There’s also some Yoga For First Responders classes and therapy-dog visits to come.

I have a variety of experiences that helped to guide me in my clinical work. Before committing to full-time private practice, I worked as a NC School Counselor for 10 years (Central Davidson Middle School and Walter M Williams HS). I have also worked as a contract therapist for a clinical agency as well as for a 3-county Local Management Entity as part of their Crisis Team.

I am married and have 2 boys (26 and 21). My family and I live in Burlington so this is my home community and one in which I hope I am making a positive impact. When I’m not working, spending time with family, or playing with the dogs, I enjoy paddleboarding and kayaking, hiking, riding horses, volunteering at KopperTop Life Learning Center, or heading up to the mountains of Western NC.