I am a person in long term recovery who can vividly recall the awkward and terrifying circumstances of needing to reach out for help to confront an addiction. At the end of our active addiction, it’s hard to understand how we got to that point. We are usually consumed by shame and worry, on top of the anxiety and dangers associated with withdrawal. It’s hard to find hope that there might be a way out. On day one it can seem impossible. Having lived through the experience of confronting my relationship with alcohol, I can offer assurance that it will not be as hard as you might think. Comfort, support, and relief are available and nearby. As I frequently remind my clients, the worry is worse than the work, and the way out is more accessible and enjoyable than you can imagine.

Education & Experience

I have worked in the addiction field in Athens for over three years, and am certified by the state of Georgia as an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor. With extensive experience working with individuals and groups at all points in their recovery, my flexible and compassionate approach will meet you where you are on your journey. My professional roles have encompassed client care ranging from assessment and intake for residential detox to coordination and management of ongoing care following treatment. I have strong relationships with local providers to ensure proper referral for clients who need higher levels of care. 

I have personal experience and expertise with community resources including 12-step programs, and a flexible understanding that what works for one person may not work for another. My expertise informs guidance to clients as they explore and develop a program of recovery, but I will never proselytize or prescribe a regimen incompatible with a client’s life or values. Recovery is almost always a non-linear process, and I am here to work with you through trial and error in a shame-free environment without judgment. Though your recovery will likely borrow from the experiences of others, it will also be entirely unique.

Prior to beginning my career in addiction counseling, I worked for the University of Georgia. My academic background includes a master’s degree in Educational Psychology from UGA, with an area of study of Applied Cognition and Development. This expertise comes in handy in the context of recovery, as clients often have a need to examine and sometimes reverse engineer the things they “know” and the circumstances and experiences that led to certain beliefs or patterns of behavior. Indeed, mindfulness and metacognitive explorations comprise a substantial component of the work I do with my clients.

What to Expect From Me

• Perspective: I understand that perspective is a privilege. Because I am not walking in your shoes, I have the ability to zoom out and see things more clearly. I will share these perspectives with you when they serve your health and well being. One of the ways I like to conceptualize addiction is as “pathological avoidance,” whether through denial, dishonesty, procrastination, or isolating behaviors. The path to recovery is going to traverse ground directly through some of the ideas, memories, and behaviors that you may have been avoiding, or don’t recognize as avoidance. I will offer you perspective, coupled with compassionate directness, in an environment free of shame or judgment.

• Levity: My clients and I do heavy lifting identifying areas for growth and exploring and processing our most painful experiences and circumstances. There’s no way to get through some of this work without a healthy dose of laughter and whimsy. My clients are almost always surprised by the amount of laughter that takes place during addiction therapy.

• Experience: I have been through this, and will tactfully share my experiences as appropriate. I fully believe that the most critical component to recovery and human happiness is connection with other people. You are not alone. I will help you connect with experience, strength, and hope that has driven recovery for me and countless others..

• Imperfection: Therapists have to be careful to say “I don’t know” when that is the case. The human experience is vast and unique for everyone, and there will be times where I won’t be able to adequately explain or even understand what you are going through. But I will walk with you every step of the way as we explore uncharted territory and engineer new strategies to make your life better.