My desire to become a counselor began several years ago when I worked as a volunteer counselor at Hope Clinic for Women, counseling young women who were in crisis pregnancy.  I loved being able to provide empathy, support, and education to women who were considering having abortion procedures done.  I was able to encourage women there to consider parenting or adoption as alternatives to abortion.  I enjoyed my work there so much that I decided to pursue a graduate degree in counseling.  I graduated from Lipscomb University with a Master’s in Professional Counseling in August 2009. 

My passion for working with children and their families began when I started my clinical practicum at Mercy Family Services.  I have enjoyed the population Mercy serves so much that I have chosen to stay on with Mercy now that I’ve graduated.  I’m currently working towards obtaining my license as a Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider designation (LPC/MHSP).  I believe that my compassion and empathy for clients, genuineness, commitment to speaking the truth, and willingness to let the Holy Spirit guide me enable me to be an effective counselor.  Although I work with clients of all ages, I especially love working with younger children (elementary and middle-schoolers) and their families.

I enjoy being able to integrate Christian truth when counseling, and I’m very thankful for Mercy’s Christian influence.  I have found that Mercy is truly a place where people in need can get their physical, psychological, and material needs met while receiving the Love of Christ at the same time.  My favorite scripture verses are Romans 12:1-2:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

and James 1:2-4:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”   

I recently celebrated my 2^nd wedding anniversary with my husband who works in medical sales.  We live in South Nashville and attend Christ the King Catholic Church.