Some Things You May Want to Know…
A Little About Me
My Education
My Professional History and Experience
My Licenses and Certifications
Fees, Insurance, Payment Options
Office Hours and Location
How to Contact Me
A Little About Me
Dedicated to Family – I enjoy and relish my family time, and am an active and involved member of my church and other charitable organizations.
Caregiver to Many – I am a born caregiver, and have been drawn to helping and caring for others for as long as I can remember. Long before I became a professional counselor, friends and family told me that I was an empathic listener, and a wise and joyful source of comfort.
Experienced and Licensed – I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), with a Masters in Social Work (MSW) from St. Louis University. I have been working in the field actively since 1987.
Life Long Learner – I am an avid and life long learner and am committed to ongoing education in my profession. I am committed to advanced training in all of my areas of specialization (marriage/couples counseling, women’s issues, addiction and substance abuse recovery for both the addict and their family, recovery from childhood trauma, etc.).
Advocate for Quality Mental Health Care – I am dedicated to the advancement my profession. I am a long time member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). I served as the president of Psychotherapy St. Louis—an association of therapists dedicated to professional development and to promotion of confidential and ethical practice in the profession.
Teacher/Public Speaker – As I have enjoyed sharing what I have learned and experienced I have become an accomplished public speaker. I have been interviewed on radio talk shows and have given multiple presentations to numerous organizations on a wide variety of mental health and family dynamics oriented topics.
My Education
MSW – Masters in Social Work – concentration in Family Therapy – St. Louis University
BA – Bachelor of Arts – Psychology and Sociology (double major) – Maryville University
Accredited Counselor Training Program – Edgewood Program – St. John’s Mercy Medical Center
Accredited Continuing Education – 400+ hours of accredited workshops, seminars and classes on a variety of practice area relevant and professional ethics oriented subjects.
Marriage Counseling Program – an intensive, initial two year and ongoing training program with marital therapists around the world – The Couples Institute (led by renowned marriage/couples counseling expert, Ellyn Bader, PhD.)
My Licenses and Certifications
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) MO License #003949
A licensed clinical social worker has the ability to diagnosis and treat mental health disorders. To attain this license, an individual must complete a minimum two year Masters degree in social work, complete two years of supervised clinical training, and pass a state licensing examination. By state law, clinical social workers are required to complete ongoing continuing education to retain their license.
Certified Reciprocal Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor (CRAADC)
An alcohol and drug abuse counselor with this designation has significant experience and has received special, intensive training with respect to alcohol and drug abuse. In addition, a counselor with this designation has the ability to treat persons with alcohol and substance abuse issues and their families in the state of Missouri, as well as in other states and even in other countries. To retain this designation, counselors must complete a minimum of 40 hours of continuing education every two years.
My Professional History and Experience
Tapestry Counseling, LLC – Practice Owner
20 years (2001 – present)
A counseling practice focused on individual, marriage, couple, and family therapy and counseling
Advocates, Inc. – Executive Director
4 years (2004 – 2008)
A non-profit organization committed to the emotional and spiritual healing of relationship wounds through professionally facilitated weekend retreats for women
The Edgewood Program – Counselor and Case Manager
15 years (1987 – 2002)
An intensive inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment facility and family recovery program for adults and adolescents, and their families.
Community Volunteer Positions
- St. Louis University/Family Concentration Task Force – Contributor (Past)
- Alzheimer’s Association – Family Therapy Provider (Past)
- Kingdom House – Advisory Committee Chairperson (Past)
Professional Memberships
- American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT) – Member
- Psychotherapy Saint Louis – Member, Past President, Past PR Chairperson, Board of Directors