I am licensed in Alabama and have been since 1996 as an LGSW and since 1999 as an LCSW (26 years of professional work experience as an LCSW). In November, 2021, I retired from 25 years with the State of Alabama doing work with foster children, parents at risk of losing their children, and with child abuse and neglect intake and crisis work. Since retiring, I added ADHD Coach training and certification as well. I have experience in helping clients with coping with life changes, ADHD coaching, & compassion fatigue and have some personal experience in Alanon and with being a family member of someone exhibiting Narcissistic behaviors. I also was diagnosed with ADHD at age 26 and have experienced roughly half my life on both sides of the diagnosis. I understand the experience of looking back and seeing how things could have been different if diagnosed sooner, while also learning (yes, still learning) acceptance and techniques to achieve things I didn’t believe possible as a younger person. I have two young adult sons and did go through infertility issues, and prematurity/NICU stay with the youngest, giving me some insight in both infertility, multiple miscarriages, and parenting. I also am an avid art/crafter, a musician, and poet and love learning new languages (to keep the brain healthier). I strongly believe that any creative, intellectual interest or hobby and/or recreational outlet is very important to our mental health. I believe that rekindling some such outlet or interest can build self-esteem which spills into other areas of our lives as well. I am open to clients who seek a therapist who is aware of spirituality and mindfulness practices as important facets of life for some individuals. However, as an Episcopalian, I am not comfortable with engaging in the practice of “Christian-based” counseling in any restricting or conservative manner. I am open to discussion of how a client’s religion helps them or has caused trauma as either of these viewpoints can impact a person’s mental health. I am not an athiest or agnostic, but rather a mildly involved and often questioning Episcopalian who enjoys learning about other religions and cultures for the sake of broadening my own mind. I am also open and affirming of all humans, however they are made, however they present themselves, and to whom they are attracted. I do not have specialized LGBTQIA+ therapeutic experience, but I welcome anyone who needs ADHD related counseling or any other areas with which I do have experience, regardless of how they identify. I have recent experience in the past three years working as a professional ADHD Coach with both college students with ADHD and women over 50 who also have ADHD, some in the workforce and some recently retired. I have also worked with parents of children with ADHD. While outside of Better Help, I do ADHD related Coaching, being an online therapist at Better Help is more in line with therapy instead of coaching. However, I still may incorporate some techniques used in both Coaching and Therapy, if that is relevant and agreed upon by myself and the client. There are other reasons for executive functioning difficulties such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, depression, stroke, traumatic brain injuries, aging, and “brain fog” from Fibromyalgia and other auto-immune disorders. All are welcome and I will do my best to assist with smoothing out your days and helping someone improve or create work-arounds for those executive functions that most impact them. The primary goal or purpose for each individual client entering therapy varies, but for some, it is to identify areas they wish to improve and then start making some small changes. This involves creating steps toward achieving their goals. For others, the purpose of therapy is to have someone to brainstorm with, vent to, and gain insight into some issues that have kept them from opportunities or just have kept them in a stress filled environment. I believe in a client-centered approach which means that I come to the table with resources but without a pre-arranged agenda. You come to the table with experiences, beliefs, and interests, and some problems you want to address. We work together to find solutions for what can be changed, and sometimes acceptance in what cannot be changed (and yes, to fine-tune the wisdom to know the difference). I look forward to seeing clients embrace new ways of seeing themselves and their world. Ultimately, I seek to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.