My professional experience as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) include providing therapy for children, adolescents, and adults in individual, couple, family, and group settings. My experience expands from working as a trainer and facilitator for the PREPARE/ENRICH premarital and marital assessment to guiding families through the challenges of foster care and blended families. My approach to therapy is solutions-focused and includes cognitive behavioral therapy and family systems therapy.

A part of my story contains being an avid outdoorsman, and I seek to incorporate the physical and mental benefits of time spent in nature into my practice through experiential activities whenever appropriate. Frequently, I'll include movement, mindfulness, relaxation exercises, and sports to help clients manage anxiety and stress, practice goal setting, and discover the interplay between mind, body, and environment. I also find it beneficial to regularly meet with clients outside—whether at a forest preserve or just around the block—where the fresh air and far-off horizon can dramatically affect one's outlook on life.

Before joining the team at Your Story Counseling, I worked at a private practice for five years after dedicating 15 years to serving Chicago and its communities as a caseworker, alternative high school teacher, academic coach, community liaison, and therapist with a social services agency on the north side of Chicago. Personal elements of my story also incorporate the hobbies I enjoy, such as playing board games with my wife and eight-year-old twins, fishing, hiking, and reading history. My goal is to join anyone looking for someone who can walk with them through life's storms and guide them on walking well towards the next chapter in their life.

Experience & Specialties | adults, children 8 and under more parent support, children 9+, couples, families, adoption-foster care, pre-marital work. ODD, executive function, faith based