I have a diverse background in work and education with 20 years in the business arena (retail & finance). I moved into higher education teaching and the mental health field 20 years ago. My specialty is substance use disorder and I am knowledgable about most substances (licit & illicit) that often get abused. My MA in psychology was focused on Binge Eating Disorder which I struggled with in childhood and began self-medicating with cannabis by the time I was 14 years old. I found pills in my late teens and crystal meth in my early 20's which brought me to my knees by my mid 20's. I met my first psychotherapist at 25 and she turned my life around, that was when I made up my mind what my life goal would be. I also hold an MS in political science and a SYC in education, with two associate and two bachelor degrees. I am also a published author working on my fouth book (Who do you say that I am? Christian Meditations on the Sermon on the Mount for Recovery).
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
At the first session I will listen to what you want to accomplish, what particular problems or goals you have, or if you are just trying to reach a higher ground. Also, a history about your past will be done and then we can decide if we want to move further and develop a treatment plan.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I think I have a past that creates my ability to be a good therapist. I came from a place of dysfunction where many clients may be, I survived the family abuse, the eating disorder in childhood, being the pothead in high school, the crystle meth head in my 20's. I know what it's like to go to sleep clutching a bottle of pills thinking about taking them but knowing how the family would bash me if I lived through it. The things that saved me were therapy, my faith, my mother's support, and my love of learning. I attended various colleges and universities and so I have a strong diverse educational background, secular and faith based. I am also 65 years old and have much wisdom to offer. I am very devout to my spirituality and consciousness and always striving to rise to a higher level.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I feel I can do the best with clients who were raised in dysfunctional households as I was and who self medicated that feeling of not being wanted, or the chaos, abuse, or neglect early on. I know a great deal about scapegoating and gaslighting in the family and the damage that can come from it. I know what it's like to be told that I "shouldn't feel or think like that" or I'm "too sensitive or too deep". I'm an empath and found my calling to develop the gift further through the years. If you feel that you are "highly sensitive and/or spiritually inclined" you may like to work with me. If you enjoy learning about how energy, metaphysics and psychedelics can bring you to a higher level of consciousness you may like working with me. I am trained to work with integration therapy for use with psychedelics (Ketamine).