I am a licensed clinical social worker and an art therapist.  I combine skills and techniques from these two degree programs to work with infants, children, and families as a family therapist.  It’s been my joy to do so for over twenty years. 

I believe that a positive parent/child relationship is the core foundational element for a successful and healthy family.  I’ve always said that no one knows a child and the keys to their successful development as well as their parent or guardian.  Having practiced in several settings I am convinced that the home-based one provides the atmosphere for the greatest results, and welcome each engagement as a unique opportunity to fashion tools and tailor techniques with the ultimate goal of healing the parent/child relationship. 

By incorporating play and/or art into our therapy sessions I create a relaxed, fun, and engaging environment that promotes growth and change.  Trust, empathy, humor, and active listening are the building blocks I utilize in my interactions with children and their parents.  My goal is to help you adopt these same communication techniques; enabling you to deal with your unique family situation without continued assistance. 

While earning my undergraduate degree at Wake Forest I volunteered at Hospice of Winston-Salem.  There I witnessed first-hand the incredible benefits of using art as a vehicle for therapeutic discussions in children’s therapy.  The experience encouraged me to pursue and achieve a Master in Art Therapy in addition to the formative Master of Social Work.  Today, I continue to enjoy the unique benefits of incorporating art therapy exercises in my social therapy work with infants, children, and families.  I’ve practiced social work in various mental health provider settings which include: residential facilities, partial hospitalized programs, school-based mental health programs, outpatient programs, after-school programs, and home based settings. 

I grew up in Gastonia, North Carolina and have practiced in New Haven, Conn; Prince Georges County, Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Fairfax, VA; and now, Charlotte, N.C.  I currently reside in Charlotte with my husband and our son.