While getting my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, I began working with underprivileged communities and troubled youth at a youth shelter in Akron, Ohio. As my heart broke for this community, I felt myself getting more rooted in the helping professions eager to develop relationships and invest in hurting people. I continued to work with a similar population as I joined a school-based mental health organization offering my services in schools, outpatient clinics, in homes, and in communities. Providing services in a large variety of locations, my eyes were opened to the relationships and systems surrounding my individual clients. As my experience with the mental health field grew, I could feel myself wanting to invest more and more in the relationships and dynamics surrounding my clients. This growing desire prompted me to pursue a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Akron in Ohio. Upon completing my Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Akron, I was awarded dual licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor. Once I developed specific training for couples and families, I continued to look for as many opportunities as possible to work with families and couples. Since graduating, I have been able to gain certification in facilitating two of the most respected and widely used premarital and marital assessment tools. Also, I have gained training in Neurofeedback and offer BrainPaint as a tool to help clients deal with anxiety, depression, and a variety of other things. Click here to learn more. 

Couples Issues: communication skills, conflict resolution, premarital counseling, rebuilding trust, increasing intimacy, sexual issues, anger management, addressing power and responsibility, parenting, family of origin issues, coping with illness, adjusting to life transitions

Family Issues: Developing more functional dynamics, parenting skills, setting healthy boundaries, improving communication skills, adjusting to transitions in life (having a baby, getting married, launching a child, ‘empty nest,’ retirement, etc.), blended family issues, issues with single parenting, grief and loss, anger management, family of origin issues, coping with illness

Multicultural and Minority Clients: I strongly believe that celebrating diversity has the power to positively impact the therapeutic process and makes life better all around. It has been a joy and an honor working with a diverse multicultural population for over a decade and I look forward to continuing to do so.

Other issues and areas of specialty: career counseling, depression (including self-harm and suicidal ideation), anxiety, obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, effects of and coping with trauma, eating disorders, impulse control, children/adolescents, spirituality, school-based issues, peer relationships, social skills, and self-esteem, mindfulness/relaxation

*I can incorporate a Christian faith-based approach upon client’s request

When I’m not working, I love spending time with my wife, especially if it involves us finding a new brunch spot or hiking trail. I love hoping on my trusty commuter bike and leaving my car at home whenever I can. For me, the body, soul, spirit connection is super important so I try to be intentional and invested in my spiritual and physical health. I’d be missing a huge part of my life if I didn’t mention music. It doesn’t matter if I’m playing it, writing it, collecting it, producing it, or just listening to it- music is an escape, a diary, a coping skill, and my favorite thing to do with my free time.