My Move from Corporate to Counseling

Becoming a counselor has been my dream for as long as I can remember. After earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from The Pennsylvania State University in 1994, I decided to take a break from school. I spent the next six years working as a technical recruiter for a corporate IT consulting firm—an experience that was both rewarding and filled with invaluable life lessons. While I valued that time, I eventually realized that the work wasn’t fulfilling my need for both professional growth and personal satisfaction. Though I often considered returning to graduate school to pursue my dream of becoming a counselor, the idea of leaving an established career and starting over felt overwhelming.

Everything changed during a simple phone conversation with my brother. He said, “Dreams don’t come true unless you make them come true. Go investigate graduate schools!” His words struck a chord, reminding me that change is always possible if you choose to change. That conversation sparked a turning point in my professional journey. I immediately began researching counseling graduate programs. I earned my Master’s Degree in Counseling and Human Relations from Villanova University in 2002.

It was that phone call that inspired the core belief of my practice: People always have a choice. This philosophy is captured in the slogan for my practice:

With over 20 years of experience in the field, I have had the privilege of working with clients across a variety of care settings, including hospital, residential, intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient environments. My career began at The Renfrew Center, the country’s first residential treatment center for Eating Disorders, where I served as both a counseling intern and then a counselor. In these roles, I worked with adolescent and adult women, helping them navigate the challenges of Eating Disorders.

Driven by a deep passion for addiction treatment, I later joined Eagleville Hospital, a hospital specializing in the prevention and treatment of Substance-Use Disorders. There, I worked as a counselor in the dual diagnosis unit, treating individuals struggling with both addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions.

Since 2005, I have focused on private practice, where I provide compassionate, personalized care to individuals facing a wide range of mental health and life challenges. My journey has allowed me to bring a wealth of experience and empathy to my work, fostering clients to achieve lasting transformation and healing.

Education

MS, Counseling and Human Relations
Villanova University, 2002

BS, Human Development and Family Studies
The Pennsylvania State University, 1994

Licenses & Certifications

Licensed Professional Counselor, Pennsylvania
License # PC003584

Certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (C-DBT)

Certified as an Addictions – Informed Mental Health Professional (CAIMHP)