I hold a Master of Arts degree in Service Agency Counseling, which I received from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in 2005. I also became licensed in school counseling in 2008 (License Number: 1096979) by North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). In 2015, I became a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) in School Counseling/ Early Childhood Through Young Adulthood (Certificate Number: 02771048). I also During my educational experience, I worked as an intern with Family Alternatives, Inc. in Lumberton, NC, completing 200 hours of counseling experience. After graduating, I gained employment with Family Alternatives, Inc. in June 2006, as a case manager and therapist. In July 2007, I changed courses and began work in the public school setting. I have been employed as a Professional School Counselor in NC Public Schools for 13 years. I am also a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of NC (License # 14606). Before we begin our sessions together, I would like you to understand my personal view of counseling and how I practice it. The following information should help you gain a better grasp of what to expect from your counseling sessions. I view counseling as a relatively short-term, collaborative effort, although I will continue sessions as long as we deem necessary. I believe that in order to reap any benefits from our time together, you must be committed and active. As your counselor, I can only support, educate, and encourage you. You will have to put forth effort in homework assignments, including special exercises or journal writing, for example. Some changes will come more quickly than others, which may require more effort. I subscribe primarily to “Person-Centered Therapy” developed by Dr. Carl Rogers and “Reality Therapy” formulated by Dr. William Glasser. Relying heavily on the methods and techniques form these two theories, I will help you feel more comfortable with the idea of self-exploration. This will enable you to meet your needs in a more effective manner by understanding the consequences of the choices you make. Together, we will identify your goals, the time commitment involved in reaching these goals, the risks and benefits of counseling, and the approaches used in reaching your goals. We will also develop a plan that will be evaluated periodically. If the progress towards these goals is less than satisfactory, we will revise our treatment plan. Although our sessions may be both emotionally and psychologically intimate, it is important for you to understand that the relationship between us is not personal, but strictly professional. In order for you to best address your concerns, it is better for our relationship to reach no further than the confines of our counseling sessions. Even though you may learn a lot about me through my own disclosure, you need to remain aware that you are experiencing me only in my professional role.