Background:

 I graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Master of Arts in Community Counseling.  Experience includes working in the Office of Disability Support Services and the University of North Alabama Student Counseling Center, providing services to a diverse campus population. I also spent several years in a community mental health center providing counseling services in the Shoals area.  I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Alabama and a National Certified Counselor. 

I am a Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society member. I served on the Chi Sigma Iota (Counselors Honor Society) board for five years, including a year as acting president.  

Additional experience includes providing training workshops to agencies on Autism Spectrum Disorders, Team Building in the Workplace, Stress Management, and other mental health topics. 

In 2010, I copyrighted a new grief model called A-Typical Cyclic Grief (ACG) to describe the unique emotional waves encountered by parents who have children with special needs. All areas of our lives are impacted by our children's disability and the emotional reactions we face daily as we try to raise them in a society geared towards normal.

In 2017, I published No More Chasing Normal, which explains this invisible A-typical Cyclic Grief and provides a unique format for parents to understand and work through their emotions and challenges. 

​In 2022, I delivered a TED Talk on this unique type of grief.  To view my TED talk, return to the home page to access the recorded talk.

In 2023, I published GODspectations, which explores the development of our spiritual narratives and how they impact our views about self, others, and God.    

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I also hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public
Communication and have provided instructional training on stress management, time management, and various other topics to enhance workplace productivity and performance. 

Professional Presentations Include 
Presenter, Faith Meets Mental Health, Montgomery 
Ted Talk on A-typical Cyclic Grief 
Presenter, Franklin, and Lawrence County DHR
Keynote Speaker, Chi Sigma Iota Fall Breakfast
Presenter, Full Life Ahead Foundation at Childrens Harbor
Presenter, Healing Place Annual Workshop for professionals
Presenter, Alabama Mentor Association
Presenter, Alabama Counselors Association Annual Conf
Presenter/Trainer, Florence Police Department
Featured guest on Talk Radio, Special Needs Family Hour
Panel Guest on PBS Special WEDU Autism: Breakthrough to Hope Coping with Crisis.

Professional License & Certifications
State of Alabama Licensed Professional Counselor
License number 2996 (www.abec.alabama.gov)
National Certified Counselor
        NBCC (www.nbcc.org)

Professional Associations 
Chi Sigma Iota (Counselors Honor Society)
American Counseling Association
Alabama Counseling Association
National Alliance for Mental Illness
Alabama Mental Health Counselors Association
American Association of Christian Counselors
Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society