Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy

Hello!  I am the founder, clinical director, and a licensed clinical social worker at Restore Therapy and Wellness, PLLC.  Early in life, I realized that I was deeply empathetic and I really enjoyed helping others through difficult situations.  As someone who has experienced multiple types of trauma at a young age and through life, I know how important it is to have skills, strategies, and support.  With this in mind, I earned my bachelor's degree in Family Social Services with a minor degree in Psychology from Northern Illinois University in 1998.  

After graduation, I began my career working with adults suffering from severe and chronic mental illness and coordinating the crisis line for DeKalb County.  Through these experiences, I fully realized my passion for helping others and went back to school.  While earning my master's degree, I provided individual and group counseling to children and adult survivors of domestic violence and residential adolescent girls who were wards of the state.  My Clinical Social Work Master's degree was obtained at Aurora University in 2001.  I continued to work with survivors of domestic violence after graduation.  In 2016, I earned my professional educator's license and began working as an elementary school social worker.  

I have over fifteen years of experience working in the mental health field.  I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults in clinical, residential, non-residential, and school settings.  In these settings, I have provided individual and group counseling, parent support and training, crisis intervention and support, and outside agency collaboration. I have a plethora of experience within the educational system with special education, behavior assessments and plans, social developmental studies, and education plans. 

     My personal experience, professional experience and specialized training enable me to pursue my true passion to help others through private practice!

When I am not in the office, I enjoy spending time with my husband of twenty-two years, twenty-year-old daughter, fifteen-year-old son, three cats, and three dogs.  I love reading, exercising, watching and playing sports, traveling, enjoying live music, and spending time with my family and friends.

• Bachelor's Degree in Family Social Services/Minor Psychology - Northern Illinois University 1998
• Master Degree of Social Work - Aurora University 2001
• Professional Educator's License -  Aurora University 2016
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Texas # 105899
• Certified Clinical Child & Adolescent Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP-CA)
• Certified Shame-Informed Treatment Specialist (CSTS) 
• Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional (CATP) 
• EMDR trained