Mental health, wellness, and value-guided living are at the core of my lifetime journey. Growing up with family members who lived with mental illness provided a deeply personal perspective on how important compassionate high quality mental healthcare and emotional support can be for both clients and their families. After a successful 20 year career in the corporate world, I decided to devote the second half of my professional career to helping individuals with mental and physical illness maximize their potential, live a healthy lifestyle, and thrive in their communities. My commitment to this path led me to UNC Chapel Hill where I earned a master’s degree in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. This intensive, full-time two year program has a national reputation and is ranked 9th of its kind in the country by U.S. News & World Report. In addition to obtaining my master’s degree from UNC Chapel Hill, I am also a graduate of the Duke Integrative Medicine Heath Coach Professional Training program. My unique combination of professional experience, counseling skills, integrative wellness coaching and personal lived experience enables me to authentically connect with both clients and families seeking improved mental health and wellbeing. I am passionate about helping adolescents, adults, and families manage life transitions and cope with change, anxiety and depression, parenting, career issues, adjustment to disability and chronic illness, substance use, stress management, and lifestyle behavioral change. I use a person-centered approach to counseling, utilizing acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and a variety of other psychotherapeutic techniques based on client needs. I also incorporate health and wellness strategies when appropriate and believes an optimal quality of life requires a whole person approach combining mind, body, and spirit. I am a wife and mom to a son and 2 dogs. Besides staying active with yoga, hiking, swimming, and strength training, I enjoy reading, gardening, and volunteering with youth and special needs programs at church.