Counseling

    My journey into psychology began in high school with my AP Psychology class, but it wasn’t until college, when I sought counseling for the first time, that I truly understood the profession’s healing power. Experiencing its impact firsthand, I became deeply invested in studying human behavior and mental wellness. Yet, despite my passion for learning, I still felt uncertain about my future career. 

    That changed when the Lord led me to Liberty University to complete my bachelor’s degree, where I found professors who were not only knowledgeable but deeply invested in their students’ growth. As I progressed through my internship and earned my master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, I realized I had found my calling. My professional experience spans inpatient crisis stabilization, medical detox, emergency mental health, and community mental health before transitioning to outpatient care. Through these roles, I’ve learned that a warm presence, unconditional positive regard, and empathic reflection are essential to effective counseling. As I began supervising new professionals, I felt called to pursue a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, equipping me to better support and develop the next generation of counselors.
 

CACREP Doctoral Competencies (2024):

A. Scholarly examination of the evidence base for counseling processes and theories

B. Integration of theories relevant to counseling

C. Conceptualization of clients from multiple theoretical perspectives

D. Scholarly examination of culturally sustaining counseling practice across multiple settings, contexts, and across service delivery modalities

E. Methods for evaluating counseling effectiveness

F. Legal and ethical issues and responsibilities in counseling across multiple settings and across service delivery modalities
 

Artifacts 1-3 were completed during COUC 715 Advanced Theory Application and Orientation:
    “During this first course in the Ph.D. CES Program, students examine existing and emerging theories of counseling to increase their understanding of ethical and effective assessment and intervention within the therapeutic environment. The student will be able to critically analyze, evaluate, and synthesize a broad range of counseling theories, with an advanced understanding of psychopathology, to inform case conceptualization and deliver and evaluate evidence-based interventions across diverse populations and settings (CACREP Standard: 6.B.1 Counseling). Students will also explore the relation of these competencies to counselor education (CACREP Standards: 6.B.3 Teaching), research and scholarship (CACREP Standards: 6.B.4 Research and Scholarship), and leadership and advocacy (CACREP Standards: 6.B.5 Leadership and Advocacy).” (Syllabus)
 

Artifact 1: Reflective Paper: Personal Counseling Approach
Counseling Competencies: A, B, C, D, E, F

    This paper reflects on my personal approach to counseling, including the foundational theoretical orientation and evidenced-based interventions from multiple counseling theories. It includes a discussion of assessment techniques, case conceptualization model, diagnostic process, the overall structure of treatment, and monitoring treatment effectiveness. Application of these approaches to two provided case studies is also discussed, as well as a personal reflection on the APA Code of Ethics (2014).
 

Artifact 2: Reading, Reflection, Critical Analysis and Synthesis Paper
Counseling Competencies: B, D, F

    This paper provides an analysis and synthesis of the material from the DSM-5 Learning Companion for Counselors by Dailey, Gill, Karl, and Minton (2014). Application to the five CACREP competency standards of counseling, research & scholarship, leadership & advocacy, supervision, teaching is also discussed.
 

Artifact 3: Theoretical Model and Case Study Application
Counseling Competencies: A, B, C, D, E, F

    This paper presents my personal theoretical model of assessment, diagnosis, case conceptualization, treatment planning, outcomes assessment, and aftercare planning. Additionally, an application of my personal theoretical model to the case of a 26-year-old female with depression, anxiety, and a history of trauma is provided.
 

Artifacts 4 & 5 were completed during COUC 710 Advanced Group Counseling:
    “This course is designed to provide further education and experience in the following core areas related to group counseling: applied theory, applied ethics, group process & dynamics, group techniques, application of group work with ethnic populations, and current research. This course includes an experiential portion in which students further develop their group leadership skills” (Syllabus).
 

Artifact 4: Discussion Board: Therapeutic Factors and Interpersonal Learning
Counseling Competencies: B, D, F

    These discussion board posts included a reflective question I posed to the class, as well as two replies to my peers’ questions including personal interpretations of the course material.
 

Artifact 5: Group Co-Facilitation Reflection
Counseling Competencies: D, F

    I facilitated a group of master’s students in COUC 592 with Dr. Erik Schmitt during an intensive course. This paper reflects the facilitation process including my skills, co-leadership, and personal qualities as a group leader.
 

Artifacts 6 and 7 were completed during COUC 792 Creative and Expressive Arts in Individual and Group Counseling
    "This course will examine the use of creative arts in helping relationships. Particular attention will be given to imagery and visual art, music, literature, drama, play and humor, and movement. Each of these forms—individually and in combination—is helpful in working with and understanding people and ourselves. Students will be given an opportunity to reflect on how they might use the creative arts in their work with people and with themselves. Specific techniques will be demonstrated through experiential activities in the classroom" (Syllabus).
 

Artifact 6: Creative Arts in Counseling
Counseling Competencies: A, B, D

    This paper discusses using creative arts in the counseling process, specifically addressing dance and movement, visual arts, writing, and nature therapies.  Applications to person-centered and TF-CBT therapy, as well as clinical supervision are addressed.
 

Artifact 7: Creative Synthesis: Sandtray
Counseling Competencies: B, C

    This paper discusses the application of sandtray to a pseudo-client struggling with juggling two jobs. An overview of sandtray therapy is provided, as well as biblical integration with creative arts therapies. Watch the session here.
 

Artifacts 8-10 were completed during COUC 998 Practicum
    "In the Practicum course, doctoral students participate in a planned 100-hour advanced clinical experience at an approved agency or other setting under an approved supervisor. During the fieldwork experience, students continue the process of developing from a post-graduate clinician to that of a counselor educator. Since students have completed their entry-level coursework, this fieldwork experience provides provide a supervised, field-based, work experience that allows students to integrate and synthesize theories and techniques learned in the classroom in a real work setting as well as develop more fully the personal qualities, characteristics, and behavior of a professional counselor and counselor educator. Consistent with CACREP standards (2016 Section 6.C), the doctoral practicum is a minimum of 100 hours, of which 40hours must be providing direct counseling services. The nature of the doctoral-level practicum experience is to be determined in consultation with the clinical director, the counselor education program faculty. and/or a doctoral committee" (Syllabus).
 

Artifact 8: Self Evaluation of Counseling
Counseling Competencies: B, E

    This paper provides a personal evaluation of counseling techniques during the practicum experience, including how this experience informs my future approach with practicum students.
 

Artifact 9: Case Conceptualization
Counseling Competencies: C, D, F

    This paper uses Sperry’s (2000) model for case conceptualization of a 23-year-old female CMHC student experiencing difficulty balancing coursework with managing her mental health.


Artifact 10: Case Conceptualization
Counseling Competencies: C, F

    This paper uses Sperry’s (2000) model for case conceptualization of a 26-year-old female experiencing daily challenges related to self-care, social connection, and work performance exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.


Artifacts 11 & 12 were completed during COUC 850 Advanced Career
    "This course provides an extensive study of the current state of career development and of career counseling theory, research, and practice. Students examine the major theories of career development and vocational behavior, as well as their related constructs and interventions, including strategies for working with and advocating for diverse populations. In addition, students learn andragogy for effectively teaching career to master’s level students. Finally, students have the opportunity to examine the existing literature in order to learn how to advance the field through research, presentations, and leadership/advocacy in the field based on these readings. Students are required to already have a knowledge and understanding of basic career counseling theories at an entry-level competency." (Syllabus).

Artifact 11: Second Career Counseling with Burnout Educators: Applying Krumboltz
Counseling Competencies: B, C, F

    This paper applies Krumboltz’s learning theory of career counseling to educators who are looking to make a career change into a new field. The four tenants of Krumboltz’s theory are reviewed, as well as interventions specific to female educators in need of career counseling.


Artifact 12: Multicultural Reflection Journals for Career Counseling
Counseling Competencies: C, D, F

    This paper contains reflective journals on various cultural identities, including an overview of the chapter and personal reflection on Career Development and Counseling by Brown & Lent (2020).
 

Artifact 13 was completed during COUC 730 Issues in Integration
    "Students critically explore issues related to ethical and effective integration of faith and spirituality in counseling, counselor education, supervision, research and scholarship, and leadership and advocacy. Special attention is given to the personhood and professionalism of the counselor/counselor educator when providing services in a multicultural society." (Syllabus)
 

Artifact 13: The Jones Family Treatment Plan
Counseling Competencies: B, C

    This paper outlines a treatment plan for the Jones family who was experiencing the stressor of a family member having cancer. Treatment is outlined for the family as a whole, the marriage, and each of the five members individually using an integrationist perspective.

Licensure and Certifications

Licensed Professional Counselor (Virginia #0701007716) June 13, 2018

Approved Supervisor with the Virginia Board of Counseling September 7, 2023

Licensed Professional Counselor (DC #PRC200002261) May 1, 2025

National Certified Counselor (NCC #1731204) March 21, 2024