Ever since childhood, I have had a passion and interest in serving and understanding people. I always wanted to hear the stories of the people around me. I was friends with everyone and loved to be of use and service. It allowed me to get to know many perspectives, have compassion, and have an open mind and heart toward others. I received a Bachelor of Social Work from Grand Valley State University in 2011. I worked as a foster care worker, adoption specialist, and Early Head Start home Visitor for several years. When we found out that my second son would be born with a severe congenital heart defect, I stayed home to care for him for several years. When my son finished his surgeries successfully, I went back to work part-time in intake for Faith Hospice. When my husband started his real estate team, I started working from home to assist him and his brother start their business. I have done transaction coordination and client care for them since 2018. In 2022, we started Arlo's Medicore Hearts Foundation to raise money for single ventricle research. As of June 2024, we have raised nearly 20k for single ventricle research. I also started my Master's in Social Work through the University of Michigan in 2022. I have been doing fieldwork at Unity Counseling, LLC, where I look forward to continuing my career as an LLMSW clinician after graduation in December 2024. I love what I do and finally feel at home in my profession!I enjoy working with those 11 and older, those who are grieving and in life transitions, and those who have experienced trauma and relationship issues, engaging in elements of CBT, DBT, Internal Family Systems, Intergenerational Family Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. I will be certified in EMDR by December of 2024.I look forward to how my journey will continue to develop, what I will learn, and how I can serve my community.