It's possible, and it's my joy to partner with clients to guide them toward creating connections within and with others.
For over 20 years I've enjoyed my role as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Fertility Specialist. It's rewarding work. Today I work with individuals and couples on a range of topics, from mental health and life transitions to relationships and family building. My academic and professional experience has provided a fantastic base for this. I work from an Attachment-Based Therapy philosophy, using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) among my blend of modalities. For a little more insight on the spirit of my approach, please take a look at why I chose the dandelion motif for my logo.
ACADEMIA
I earned my Master's degree in Education, Counseling and Human Behavior, from George Mason University, where I graduated first in my class. Among my professional experiences, I worked as Counselor with the seriously mentally ill (SMI) population and their families, provided support in a domestic violence shelter for women, and was employed at the U.S. Department of Justice as the primary in-house Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Counselor. I've been a Teaching Assistant for the George Mason Psychology Group Therapy 101 class and have led the Group Therapy lab portion of the class.
Ongoing education is important to me, and I'm currently working toward certification in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for the relationship and marriage counseling I provide. I have completed the EFT Core Skills and Externships with with the Washington-Baltimore EFT Center toward this. I have also completed both levels required as an EFT therapist for individuals (EFiT) through the International Center for Excellence in EFT (ICEEFT). My continued learning passion revolves around sex therapy, trauma, parts work and continuing to fine-tune resourceful approaches for individuals.
FERTILITY & FAMILY BUILDING
In addition to my General Practice, I also specialize in Family Building via assisted reproductive technology (ART) or adoption. Years after becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor I suffered as an infertility patient. After I was resolved with my family-building choices, I incorporated into my practice work to educate, support and improve the field of Reproductive Psychology in hopes of offering what I felt was missing. I screen potential egg /sperm donors and gestational carriers for fertility clinics, coach individuals and couples on conception disclosure and assist in the many feelings, decisions and ripple effects so often accompanied with family building struggles.
I regularly speak on topics such as the emotional aspects of infertility and donor gamete family building. I have appeared as an expert guest discussing donor egg on a UK morning television talk show. I am Founder and Host of the online radio show, "The Fertility Forum," and I served as the Mental Health Director for the Eastern Region of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association for several years. Most recently I presented a two part series for therapists on Fertility and EFiT 2022, and was the expert on Ask The Expert, a podcast, to discuss secondary infertility.(see recordings on training page)
Education
Randolph-Macon College, B.A.
Wroxton College, U.K.
George Mason University, M.Ed.
Additional Training
Psychological Assessments Administration for the MMPI-2 & PAI
Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) Core Skills & Advanced Core Skills
Level 1 & Level 2: Emotion Focused Therapy for Individuals (EFiT)
Brief Therapy I, II, III
Professional Positions & Memberships
American Society of Reproductive Medicine
American Mental Health Counseling Association
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association - Mental Health Director for the Eastern Region
Give An Hour - counseling to our soldiers and their families
American Psychological Association
More...
Host and Creator of weekly podcast, "The Fertility Forum"
Ran on-line support group BOUNCE (for expired relationships) via www.theangrytherapist.com
“We do not learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience.” – John Dewey"
