A Little About Me

I like to model vulnerability and authenticity for my clients, so that they can not only get to know me, but also see what that looks like in action.

Education

I earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, with a specialization in finance (2007) and a Master of Social Work, with a focus on mental health (2019) both from Loyola University Chicago. Not only is it required for my licensure and certifications, I am passionate about continuing and ongoing education in my field.

Licenses & Certifications

I am recognized as a licensed social worker (150.104512) and licensed clinical social worker (149.026122) in the state of Illinois by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). I hold a certificate of alcohol and drug counseling (CADC) (35995) with the Illinois Certification Board (ICB). I am also a NARM (NeuroAffetive Relational Model) Level-two trained practitioner, as recognized by the NARM Training Institute.

Career

Counseling is a second career for me. I previously worked in the corporate world (finance) as an account manager and trust officer at a private bank. I worked with high net-worth clients, servicing family offices, in the wealth management division of the bank. Wanting more out of my profession and lacking passion for my day-to-day responsibilities and the impact that I was having on the world, I decided to shift to the helping profession and become a psychotherapist. I offer a unique perspective when working with clients, having been in the corporate world for close to a decade.

Recovery

I am a person in long-term, sustained recovery from alcohol and substance use disorders. I have also had my challenges with other mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, all of which are well-managed at this point. I place self-care and my own recovery as the top-priority, because without it, I can’t offer much of any help to others. I am also an active member of a twelve-step fellowship.

Hobbies

I spend my free time connecting with friends and family. I also have an Australian cattle dog (blue heeler) / Pitbull mix, named Earl. I enjoy recharging by meditating, cooking, going on walks with Earl, listening to my favorite music, and exploring what the city of Chicago has offer, by trying out new (or old favorite) restaurants, seeing a comedy show, or going to the movies. I am also a coffee lover, with Dark Matter being my favorite roaster.