About me

I spent 24 years in law enforcement and worked in many areas, including investigations, SWAT, and accident reconstruction. I have seen trauma and how it affects people and their families. I am here to help you have a better life.  As an LPCA, I specialize in the treatment of trauma and post-traumatic stress. I have trained in EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy) and CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy). I graduated Suma cum Laude from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. I then attended Lindsey Wilson University and graduated with a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a certificate in substance abuse counseling.  

I had always had a curiosity about psychology, but my desire to be a police officer was much more. After I became a police officer and began seeing people in mental health crisis, my interest in psychology became renewed. So I started doing some reading on the subject in the hopes it would make me a better police officer. I hoped it would help me understand people better, and it did. But what I began seeing were signs of trauma in myself and others. First responders, on average, experience over 800 traumatic events in their career, versus the average person who experiences, on average, one or two over their lifetime. I learned trauma isn't just about nightmares or flashbacks, although it can include them. It is about becoming disconnected. Maybe your friend circle has decreased, or you have become emotionally numb or detached. Yes, you have to have some detachment to be a first responder, but does it carry over into your personal life? It did for me and I thought it was normal. It became apparent that it wasn't when I had children.  Once I worked through the trauma, I felt much lighter. I connected with people and my kids on a deeper level. There are many other signs, and I would be happy to discuss them with you. I also plan to write a blog about some of these, so check back often or sign up for my newsletter. And thank you for reading some of my story!