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Qualifications & Experience

Credentials

My first credential is lived experience as a late-diagnosed neurodivergent woman, wife, and mom. Professionally, I specialize in supporting neurodivergent teens and adults, including those with Autism, ADHD, and intellectual or developmental disabilities, along with their parents, caregivers, and siblings.  My practice is rooted in neurodiversity-affirming care, self-determination, and helping people better understand themselves—not teaching them to mask who they are.  I am also a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC), Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), and Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®).  

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What is a Rehabilitation Counselor/CRC? A rehabilitation counselor specializes in the intersection of mental health, disability, education, employment, and independent living. As a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), I have specialized academic and clinical training in counseling, disability, vocational rehabilitation, career development, advocacy, and helping people identify and work toward meaningful life goals.

 

What is an AFC®? An Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) is a credentialed professional trained in financial counseling, education, and behavior change. My AFC® training allows me to support practical financial literacy skills such as budgeting, financial goal-setting, credit and debt management, and planning for greater financial independence.

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With over 20 years in higher education, my experience extends beyond traditional talk therapy. I have served in roles across teaching, academic and financial aid advising, and disability advocacy in K–12, college, and the workplace. This background gives me a holistic and unique perspective on how mental health, neurodivergence, education, employment, finances, relationships, and independent living intersect.

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Areas of Focus
I partner with adolescents, adults, and caregivers, with a specific focus on:

  • Autism & ADHD

  • Neurodivergent identity & adult identification

  • Anxiety, stress & emotional regulation

  • Autistic & neurodivergent burnout

  • Masking & unmasking

  • Executive functioning

  • Self-advocacy & self-determination

  • Parenting & caregiver support

  • Transitions to adulthood & life changes

  • Academic & workplace navigation

  • Career exploration & vocational planning

  • Disability disclosure & accommodations

  • Communication, boundaries & relationships

  • Sibling & family support

  • Intellectual & developmental disabilities

  • Learning differences & education

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​Depending on your needs, I may integrate elements of:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)

  • Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

  • Person-Centered Therapy

  • Mindfulness-based strategies

  • DBT-informed skills

  • Positive Psychology

  • Trauma-informed care

  • Executive functioning & skill-building

  • Vocational & career counseling

  • Psychoeducation

 

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My Mission

This practice is deeply personal to me. My journey into this work really began with my teen son who was diagnosed autistic with moderate support needs at age 3. As I worked to understand his neurodivergence, advocate for what he needed, and learn how he experienced the world, I began recognizing pieces of myself along the way. That journey eventually led to my own neurodivergent diagnosis in adulthood and gave me a very different understanding of my own life. 

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As my oldest son grew older and my second son was diagnosed as neurodivergent, my questions began to change. I wasn’t only thinking about school anymore. I was thinking about what came next. What would adulthood look like for them? What kind of work could be meaningful? How could I teach them to be proud of their differently wired brains? What support would they need? How could I help them see their needs as rights—not burdens? How could we help them build independence without defining it for them?

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Most importantly, how help them to make sure their futures were built around who they truly are, rather than who the world expected them to become? After unsuccessfully searching for mental health and transition specialists who understood our lives and could see my children’s skills, value, and potential, I decided to return to school. I earned a degree specializing in mental health and vocational counseling for individuals with disabilities so I could do just that—for all of our kids.

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Why work with me? As a neurodivergent mom,  educator and clinician raising ND kids, I have the intimate lived experience and perspective that many therapists just do not possess.  I will support you and your family with a nonjudgmental, validating, and empowering voice. Sometimes, there is nothing quite like being understood by someone who truly gets it. A tribe.

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Why I Started This Practice

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