Hello, and welcome to a look into my practice where you may come with your problems and concerns to be in a safe and accepting place. At various times on life's journey, all of us need support, guidance, and someone to be on our side. Here you will have my undivided attention, good-will, training and experience to assist you in coping, problem solving, and gathering your strength and resources to move forward on the path that you choose. I believe that each of us has within us what we need to make our lives better. However, when problems and stress are very large and sometimes overwhelming, it can be difficult to find and call on our own skills and resources without help. It takes courage to deal with life when "the going gets rough", and I invite you to allow me to share that part of your journey with you. Together we will find a more useful and satisfying balance for you. I came to my clinical work a little later in life after having several other professional experiences and a great deal of life experience. First, I was an elementary school teacher, then a substance abuse educator, before working for a local mental health center. There, I began their first counseling program for preschool children who had been abused, and coordinated the development of their first housing program for people who were able to live independently with some support. For 15 years I was the coordinator and manager for several treatment programs for children and adults. Then, it became clear that my path was leading me to become qualified to provide the most basic and fulfilling service around which my other experiences have revolved; so in 1990 I entered the University of Tennessee's College of Social Work and received the M.S.S.W. degree in 1992. For the last 10 years, my focus has been working with individuals, couples, families and small groups to make their lives more satisfying. The issues most often addressed are:
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