Background and Clinical Experience

EDUCATION

In the fall of 2010, I began my college career at Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) as a Secondary Math Major. After nearly failing my first college math class, I quickly switched gears. I moved to Psychology and ultimately to Social Work, once I learned that Social Work offered more opportunities post-graduation. 

I traveled to Atlanta, Georgia as part of the Alternative Breaks Program at SVSU in the Winter of 2010. I spent my winter break sleeping in a homeless shelter and working at a harm reduction clinic in one of the most notorious drug distribution neighborhoods in the country. I made one hit kits and exchanged those for dirty needles being brought off the streets.

I earned a scholarship upon entering SVSU as a Foundation Scholar which provided monetary support to pursue a study abroad opportunity throughout the duration of my undergraduate career. I elected to travel to Uganda, Africa to the Nyaka AIDs Orphan School.

During my time on the SVSU campus, I was honored to be one of the founders of the Fostering an Academic and Successful Transition (FAST) Program. The FAST Program was designed and developed to provide support to former foster youth aging out of the system and entering college. 

After obtaining my Bachelor of Social Work with a double minor of youth services and psychology with a child welfare certificate, I immediately began my Maser of Social Work Program through Michigan State University remotely on the SVSU campus. I declared the Clinical Track with my future goal of providing outpatient mental health services to at risk children and adolescents.

INTERNSHIPS

In the summer of 2013, I landed a coveted internship opportunity at Youth Villages in Memphis, Tennessee. While Youth Villages offers countless services for youth, I worked on their Dogwood Campus which houses sexually deviant youth in a residential treatment setting. There, I had the opportunity to facilitate group therapy sessions for the children in the cabin I was assigned for the summer. I gained experience with assessing client and family history, how trauma impacts behaviors, completing clinical documentation, and most importantly, the importance of building rapport with clients. 

For my Bachelor Level internship from 2013-2014, I supported the efforts of the Diversion Program through the 3rd Circuit District Court- Family Division in Saginaw, Michigan. In this position, I worked with first time juvenile offenders. I gained experience with completing intakes and biopsychosocial assessments, home and school visits, connecting with the natural supports of clients, hosting family therapy sessions, and supporting clients through specific treatment plans. 

My Master Level internship opportunity, from 2014-2015, landed me behind bars, literally. I worked in the Saginaw Correctional Facility in their Mental Health Unit. I managed a caseload of about 65 male inmates completing individual and group therapy. In this internship, I developed and lead a six-week Anger Management group. I learned the importance of research, program development, working as part of an effective treatment team, how to have confidence in the delivery of my knowledge, and again, the importance of building rapport and trust in the therapeutic relationship. 

PROFESSIONAL CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

My first post graduate job was as an Infant Mental Health Case Manager. I completed home visits supported new and expectant mothers with making sure they were mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared for the birth of their newborns. I completed Biopsychosocial Assessments, assessed for maternal mental health challenges, made sure aftercare appointments were kept, and connected the mothers with resources needed to best support the health of themselves and their babies. 

After my time as an Infant Mental Health Provider, in 2016, I transitioned my talents to the Neuro and Biofeedback Sector. Here, I learned all about the inner workings of the human brain, completed Electroencephalographs (EEGs) to map the brainwaves of clients, and created treatment plans to support the balance of brainwave activity to aid in the reduction of negative mental health symptoms. Through the use of Biofeedback, clients were able to lower their sympathetic nervous system and strengthen their parasympathetic response. 

In 2018, I moved to Community Mental Health as an Outpatient Children's Therapist at The Children's Center (TCC) in Wayne County, MI. Here, I really began to hone my skills in providing direct clinical services utilizing evidence based practices and clinical practice theories to support children and their families cope with and manage symptoms related to anxiety, depression, adjustment, grief and loss, ADHD, and trauma. I became a Clinical Supervisor in 2019, leading to my first opportunity to lead a clinical team with LLMSWs and Clinical MSW Interns. I immediately realized that I loved the teaching, training, and development opportunities in this role. As my time as a supervisor at TCC, I supervised and supported over ten LLMSWs as they gained their clinical hours on their way to full licensure. I also completed the Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) certification course and became a Nationally Certified TF-CBT Therapist. 

In 2023, after nearly five years at The Children's Center, and four years in the Clinical Supervisor Role, I realized that I missed providing direct clinical services to children and their families. I eventually made the decision to start my own private practice which would afford me the opportunity to see more clients, develop trainings and programs, provide supervision to LLMSWs, and use all of my cumulative experience to build a successful business while providing culturally competent trauma services to those in need.