In 2012, I retired from a 20+ year career as a police officer, detective, and lieutenant. I was also a dispatcher, 911 call taker, and corrections officer early in my law enforcement career.  I have a deep desire to assist police officers, fire-fighters, paramedics, dispatchers, 911 call takers, nurses, public safety personnel, and military heros to overcome the cumulative trauma that they experience. Day after day, first responders (and those on the list above) are exposed not only to traumatic scenes, but they are also in constant contact with the negative, abusive, and violent side of humanity. These experiences change most of us in ways we never envisioned when we first started serving the public. Many first responders believe that a therapist will not understand what they go through on a daily basis. After 22 years, I get it! Being a first-responder is a tough job that few people are courageous enough to face every day. The experiences can leave wounds that bleed over into our personal and professional lives. Wounds heal better when some kind of treatment is applied, don’t they? Counseling is an effective way to treat these types of injuries.

I have a passion for being part of the healing of survivors of sexual abuse, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence and other crimes. As a detective, I specialized in child sexual and physical abuse and domestic violence. I realized during my career the devastation these types of injustices can cause a person. But the human spirit is resilient! I believe each human being has the ability to live a productive, fulfilling, and joyful life, no matter how tragic their past has been. Often we need someone to partner with us and believe in us as we confront experiences that tend to rob us of our joy, peace, and freedom. I would be honored to be that partner.