I started my career over 12 years ago as a community psychiatric support treatment specialist in the field of community mental health. I provided a wide range of direct and indirect case management services to consumers diagnosed with chemical dependency problems and severe and persistent mental illness, including assessment of strengths, abilities, needs, desires, preferences, referrals and coordination of services. I transition to performed crisis interventions, screenings, referral/information, and enrollment services as a crisis intervention specialist to individuals in need of mental health services. I was the Program Coordinator at the Crisis Stabilization Unit, in which I assisted with the development, implementation and evaluation of the twenty-four hour, seven day a week program to provide crisis intervention, counseling, case management and support services to adults experiencing a mental health crisis. I worked under the umbrella of Crisis Intervention for 5 years. I nurture and/or enhance my skills when I accepted a position at Northeast Reintegration Center, in which I provided individual and group counseling utilizing evidence based practice; such as, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Seeking Safety and Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment. I encourage patients to challenge their thinking patterns and/or perceptions, learn and utilize effective wellness skills, develop and maintain healthy relationships  and participate in meaningful activities and/or find their interest and passion to thrive in life. 

I graduated from Cleveland State University, School of Social Work in 2008 with my Bachelor’s in Social Work. I became a Licensed Social Worker in 2009. I earned my Master of Science in Social Administration at Case Western Reserve University Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences in 2011.  I have often explained the following analogy to motivate my patients to thrive: Replenish Your Well. The well water represents your resiliency; your ability to manage and respond appropriately to your environment stressors. The bucket represents environmental and/or life stressors. Life is going to take buckets of water out of your well. Many people experience numerous life stressors, such as, financial problems, interpersonal relationship stressors, anxiety, depression, mood instability, etc.  Through evidence-based practices, such as, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Seeking Safety and Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment. I encouraged individuals to address their strong emotional response and learn effective coping skills to manage their environmental and/or life stressors. As a result, Replenishing their Well and enhancing their ability to thrive in Life.