About

I'd like to take the opportunity to introduce myself, what I do for a living, and how it relates to the name of the blog. I am a national board certified mental health therapist who specializes in children and families. I am an East Tennessee girl, born and raised, and yes, I love my Vols (Go Big Orange)! I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 11 years and we have 2 sweet girls, Natalie and Addilyn (proof that they sometimes get along, above).

For as long as I can remember, it has been laid on my heart to help others, which naturally drove me to the field of mental health. God knew all along exactly where he would place me and I am so very grateful that He did. I began my work with children at a non-profit agency while I was in undergrad. I worked as a case manager for a program where parents would learn behavior modification strategies for young children with behavioral issues.Tiring job-but so rewarding. That spark began to turn into more of a flame-and I found myself researching more about childhood mental health and child therapy. From undergrad, I jumped straight into graduate school for mental health counseling. My practicum and internship was child-focused and I felt pretty confident that I had found my niche. Fast forward 5 years later and I can say with confidence that I absolutely love what I do. Currently, I work between 2 offices in the community mental health and private practice setting, and I am on the cusp of gaining my license to practice independently. Today, childhood mental health has developed into a true passion of mine and I see everyday as a new opportunity to improve someone's life.

I am trained in a variety of therapy modalities from Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), as well as Child-Parent Psychotherapy. In addition, I utilize techniques including play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) , behavior modification, and art therapy. The parent or caregiver plays a crucial role in the child's treatment and I enjoy teaching positive parenting skills and psychoeducation, as well.

Too often, a child therapist is viewed as a last resort resource and is often approached from a place of desperation and defeat. One of my goals for this blog, is to change that mindset. Therapy for children has so many benefits. In a safe and secure environment, the child is given the freedom to set their own pace, learn in a way that is comfortable and maybe even fun, and make sense of what it means to be human.

Each child brought to me, I view as a precious new pot of dirt, ready for seeds to be planted in. Seeds of self-confidence, emotional intelligence, and self-control, among others. It is my hope that each child can bloom into their own unique and beautiful wildflower. One that can learn and adapt through adversities and thrive in all environments. Despite what you may think, it's a delicate process- growing wildflowers. Some require more work than others. Some leave a lingering pain in my heart after they leave my presence. Yet, when they're ready, they each grow before my eyes. I may only have the chance to directly impact those who I see in my office, however I'd love to extend my knowledge far and wide. So, for those of you interested in all things mental health and parenting, this one's for you.