About me
Hi there! I'm a licensed clinical professional counselor, creative arts therapist, and the owner and founder of Roots & Wings Therapy LLC. I've had the honor and privilege of counseling people for the past 15 years in various settings. I’ve taught college level art therapy and drawing courses at Benedictine University (my alma mater) and have been in private practice since 2017. I consider myself an eclectic therapist, meaning I draw insight, understanding, tools and techniques from multiple theoretical orientations to best suit the unique needs and goals of each client.
What it’s like in a session with me
That depends! If I'm working with children or adolescents I try to make them feel as comfortable as possible so we can build a trusting relationship and solid foundation to explore deeper issues. We might spend time making art in the studio, playing with toys on the rug in my office, taking a walk to the park, playing catch, badminton, or a board game while we also discuss what is going on in their lives.
Finding balance between the fun and the hard, the light and the serious, is important to me and makes therapy more engaging and meaningful, which allows children and teens to feel more comfortable opening up on a deeper level.
With my adult clients, I’ve been told on repeat that I’m “not a cookie-cutter therapist.” I like to move beyond the surface of just listening and reviewing worksheets and do deeper dives to explore what drives behavior. As we peel back the layers to uncover the root causes of pain, I also provide useful tools and coping skills to help clients get unstuck and make meaningful progress, while also learning how to self soothe and stay grounded.
My artist brain and creativity, backed by sound clinical foundations and evidence based practices, helps me guide my clients to achieve the awareness, confidence and outcomes they are looking for.
For all of my clients at any age, my goal is to make the therapy room a place of safety, security, and warmth. As your clinician, I strive to always come from a place of non-judgement, so that you can feel safe exploring the deepest darkest parts of yourself and your life. I believe each person has a deep inner knowing about what they need and want in their lives. My job is to help my clients get in touch with their intuition, learn to trust themselves, and listen to their bodies as a vessel of wisdom.
Personal interests
When I'm not in session, I love to be creative through making art, cooking, working in my garden, and teaching Barre & Pilates classes. I enjoy long walks with my dog Roz, coaching youth sports, and spending time with my husband and three wonderful children. Traveling is also a passion of mine. I love to explore new places, cultures, and cuisine around the country and the world.
