Education: I graduated from the College of Charleston (Charleston, SC) in 1999 with a BS in Psychology. In 2004, I graduated from Southwestern College (Santa Fe, NM) with a Master's Degree in Art Therapy. In 2016 I graduated from Capella University (CACREP), earning a Ph. D. in Counselor Education and Supervision. My dissertation topic was Using Art in Supervision to Enhance Self-Efficacy for Addiction Counselors-In-Training.
I am passionate about helping counselors and helping professionals be competent in their ability to have meaningful conversations to inspire change. Helping professionals are drawn to health care field to assist with individuals living a healhty life to the fullest. Through learning basic skills and receiving support to implement those skills, helping professionals can enhance their practice and be empowered to assist with motivating change towards health for their patients/clients.
Experience: I have a range of experience leading me to my current journey including MI training. In New Mexico I facilitated open art studio sessions with Native Americans at a residential school. In 2004, I interned in Queensland, Australia working with Aboriginal children who had experienced sexual assault as well as working with adults and children in the Queensland area who experienced sexual abuse and domestic violence. Since 2004 I have been working in the Charleston, SC area focusing on addiction recovery with individuals who experience substance and behavioral addictions (gambling, eating and other compulsive disorders). Since 2006 I have been business owner, art therapist and counselor at Intentions, LLC. Through this setting I focus on addiction counseling, clinical supervision and counselor education. I began using MI in 2010 to implement through SBIRT model. At that time I realized how beneficial it is to have a model to support person-centered treatment with some direction. I have continued to enhance MI skills through evaluation of my skills as well as experience with trainers who have supported my training development. My PhD in Counselor Education enhances my training and evaluation skills.
Certifications: I am a nationally recognized, Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC), Master Addiction Counselor (MAC), Licensed Processional Counselor and Supervisor (LPC, LPC/S), Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) and Certified Clinical Supervisor for SC Addiction Counselors (CCS)
I provide a variety of training opportunities to support implementation of MI into practice. These trainings start at half day introductory and supervisory trainings to the recommended 5 day introductory to advanced training. I also provide coding and coaching to assess fidelity of MI skills and support skill enhancement through direct feedback. I am based in SC however willing to travel to provide trainings.
