Education, Training, Experience, Credentials, Approach to Therapy

As a licensed clinical mental health counselor in Vermont, I am required by the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office of Professional Regulation to provide clients with clear information about my professional background, therapeutic approaches, and client rights. This disclosure ensures that clients can make informed decisions about their care and understand the scope and framework of the services offered.

My practice is governed by the Rules of the Board of Allied Mental Health Practitioners. It is considered unprofessional conduct to violate those rules. A copy of the rules may be obtained from the Board or online. I provide all new clients with a PDF copy of these rules as an addendum to this electronic document.

My Commitment to Clients: Above all, I am deeply committed to my clients. I approach each client relationship with empathy, compassion, calm presence, patience, curiosity, understanding, and tolerance, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment. By fostering a genuine connection, I seek to empower individuals to harness their inner strength, embrace self-awareness, and embark on a fulfilling journey towards holistic well-being, personal growth, and transformation.

My practice is governed and regulated by:

Vermont Office of the Secretary of State ~ Office of Professional Regulation ~ Board of Allied Mental Health Practitioners

Undergraduate Education

College of St. Joseph the Provider | Rutland, Vermont | September 2013 – May 2017 | Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology

Courses of Study

• Spring Semester 2013: Health Science; Philosophy; English; Business & Consumer Mathematics
• Fall Semester 2013: Introduction to Statistics; Introduction to Psychology; Introduction to Sociology; Literature
• Spring Semester 2014: Public Speaking; Seminar in Effective Living; Effective Writing; Research Methods; Principles of Learning; Human Development
• Fall 2014: Writing for the Web; Website Development; Trauma & Grief; Forensic Science
• Spring 2015: PTSD Survey; Foundations of Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counseling; Drugs and Society; Art Appreciation; Abnormal Psychology
• Summer 2015: Ethics in Psychology; Statistics & Probabilities; Physical Fitness Training
• Fall 2015: Theories of Counseling; Moral Issues; Cosmic Horror (Arts & Entertainment); Field Experience (Rutland Mental Health Services); Neuroscience
• Spring 2016: Religion and Society; Crime in the Media; Introduction to Human Services; Health Psychology
• Fall 2016: Research Methods; Organizational Psychology; Introduction to Criminal Justice; Culture and Community; History of Psychology

Provider Scholarship

As a scholarship fund recipient, I was required to complete community service hours to give back to my community. I helped with events such as: the annual Easter Egg Hunt; the annual trick or treating Halloween event; fundraising for Dismas House; Bingo with residents at the Bardwell House; and I organized a public screening of “The Anonymous People.”

Graduate Education

University of Vermont | Burlington, Vermont | September 2018 – August, 2020 | Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

(CACREP Accredited Program) Courses of Study

• Fall 2018: Human Development; Ethics; Counseling Theory; Lab Experience
• Spring 2019: Diagnosis in Counseling; Practice of Mental Health Counseling; Counseling Practicum; Diversity Issues; Group Counseling
• Summer 2019: Psychopharmacology; Research Methods
• Fall 2019: Child & Adolescent Counseling; Family & Couples Counseling; Advanced Group Counseling; Internship (Central VT Substance Abuse Services)
• Spring 2020: Assessment in Counseling; Addictions Counseling; Career Counseling; Internship (Central VT Substance Abuse Services)
• Summer 2020: Trauma Informed CBT for Veterans; Postpartum/Perinatal Mental Health; Internship (Central VT Substance Abuse Services)

Clinical Experience

Mental Health Care & Other Experience

Member Association Credentials

• An active member of the Vermont Counseling Network.
• Mental Health Counseling Graduate Program was accredited by (CACREP) Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
• A National Certified Counselor (NCC) by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC).
• A member in good standing with the American Counseling Association (ACA).

Qualifications and Continuing Education Certificates

Certificates are available in the client account portal and shared upon written request.

Therapeutic Approach: An Integrative and Holistic Model

I practice counseling with an integrative and holistic therapeutic approach that draws from multiple evidence-based modalities and is tailored to each client’s unique needs. My work is informed by neuroscience, mindfulness, psychology, sociology, biology, behavioral science, and mind-body research to support healing, resilience, and personal growth. The approaches I integrate align with my personal beliefs and values, and they are strengths-based, person-centered, values-oriented, and multiculturally sensitive.

Core Therapy

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – Cultivating psychological flexibility through mindfulness, values clarification, and committed action.
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Identifying and modifying maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors to improve emotional regulation.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – Enhancing mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness skills.
• Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) – Developing self-compassion and resilience to address shame, self-criticism, and emotional distress.
• Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) – Exploring and transforming emotional experiences to enhance self-awareness and interpersonal relationships.
• Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy – Helping clients understand and integrate different parts of the psyche for inner harmony and self-leadership.
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) – Using mindfulness techniques to reduce stress and prevent relapse in depression and anxiety.
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) – Using mindfulness techniques to reduce stress and prevent relapse in depression and anxiety.
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) – Facilitating motivation for change through a client-centered, goal-directed approach.
• Motivational Interviewing (MI) – Facilitating motivation for change with a Socratic dialogue and open-ended questions approach.
• Transtheoretical Model of Change (TTM) – Assessing readiness for change and implementing tailored interventions.
• Somatic Experiencing (SE) – Addressing trauma and emotional regulation through body-based interventions
• Polyvagal Theory – Addressing trauma and emotional regulation through body-based interventions and nervous system regulation.
• Sensorimotor Psychotherapy – Addressing trauma and emotional regulation through body-based interventions.
• Narrative Therapy – Empowering clients to rewrite personal stories in a way that enhances agency and self-concept.

Mind-Body Integration and Scientific Foundation

My therapeutic approach is informed by an understanding of:

• Neuroscience and Brain Function – Examining how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are influenced by neural pathways and neuroplasticity.
• Biology, Anatomy & Physiology – Recognizing the physiological underpinnings of mental health, stress response, and mind-body interactions.
• Nutritional Science and Fitness Science – Exploring the impact of diet, physical activity, and lifestyle choices on mental well-being.
• Behavioral Activation – Utilizing activity-based strategies to enhance mood, motivation, and engagement in life.
• Genetics and Epigenetics – Understanding how genetic predispositions interact with environmental influences to shape mental health.

Psychological, Philosophical, and Humanistic Perspectives

I integrate insights from various disciplines to support a whole-person approach to therapy:

• Positive Psychology – Cultivating strengths, resilience, and well-being rather than solely focusing on pathology.
• Buddhist Philosophy – Applying mindfulness, impermanence, compassion, and non-attachment principles to foster psychological flexibility.
• Character Strengths, Virtues, and Ethics – Helping clients align actions with values to enhance life meaning and purpose.
• Philosophy and the Natural Sciences – Encouraging critical thinking, existential exploration, and self-inquiry to deepen personal insight.

Psychodynamic, Humanistic, and Trauma-Informed Care

• Psychodynamic Therapy – Exploring unconscious processes and past experiences to understand present behaviors and relational patterns.
• Person-Centered and Humanistic Therapy – Providing a nonjudgmental, empathetic space for self-exploration and personal growth.
• Existential and Gestalt Therapy – Encouraging personal responsibility, authentic self-expression, and present-moment awareness.
• Feminist and Multicultural Therapy – Recognizing and addressing systemic influences, social justice concerns, and the intersectionality of identity.
• Trauma-Informed Therapy – Creating a safe, empowering environment for individuals affected by trauma.
• Harm Reduction and Recovery-Oriented Therapy – Supporting individuals in reducing harm, managing addiction, and achieving long-term well-being.

Commitment to Ethical and Client-Centered Practice

I am dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive, and affirming therapeutic space for individuals of diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences. My work is grounded in professional ethics, confidentiality, and respect for each client’s autonomy and lived experience. Clients are encouraged to ask questions about my approach and to collaborate in their treatment planning to ensure alignment with their goals and values. For further information about your rights and responsibilities as a client, or to discuss any questions about therapy, please feel free to ask.

American Counseling Association

Professional Code of Ethics

The American Counseling Association is responsible for providing access to, and interpretation of, the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics.

www.counseling.org provides ACA members and members of the public with the necessary tools to ensure compliance with the ethical standards of the counseling profession. The 2014 update to the ACA Code of Ethics includes new or expanded guidelines on the use social media with clients; distance counseling; confidentiality; extending boundaries; multiculturalism and diversity; the use of technology; record keeping; diagnosis; end-of life care; the selection of interventions; and preventing the imposition of counselor personal values.

Vermont Statutes

In Vermont, the statutes for mental health counselors, also known as Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHCs), are primarily governed by 26 Vermont Statutes Annotated (VSA) Chapter 65, which outlines the practice of clinical mental health counseling and the requirements for licensure. 

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

• Definition of Clinical Mental Health Counseling: 26 VSA § 3261 defines clinical mental health counseling as the diagnosis and treatment of mental conditions or psychiatric disabilities and emotional, behavioral, and social problems, including substance abuse. 
• Licensure Requirements: To become an LCMHC in Vermont, individuals must meet specific requirements, including a graduate degree in counseling, clinical work experience, and passing the National Counseling Examination (NCE). 
• Board of Allied Mental Health Practitioners: The Board of Allied Mental Health Practitioners is responsible for overseeing the licensure and regulation of mental health professionals, including LCMHCs. 
• Duty to Warn/Protect: Vermont has a duty-to-warn statute that requires mental health professionals to protect patients from danger if they know or should know that their patient poses a serious risk of danger to an identifiable victim. 
• Mandatory Reporting: Mental health professionals must report a reasonable belief of child abuse, neglect, or exploitation within 24 hours. 
• Patient’s Privilege: Unless waived by the patient or by an express provision of law, medical professionals, including mental health professionals, cannot disclose information acquired in attending a patient in a professional capacity. 
• Record Retention: Psychologists, including those who may also be LCMHCs, are required to retain client records for at least seven years, unless other laws or rules require a longer retention period. 
• Confidentiality: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) also imposes obligations on mental health professionals regarding the release of records; they should ensure they are familiar with those provisions.