The Artisan Counseling Team

It's  an honor to partner with teens & adults! I provide cognitive  behavioral therapy infused with person-centered & strength-based  approaches. I believe that we are born with a series of specific  purposes. Unfortunately, the grilling of life’s negativity occasionally  chars us by bringing us out of alignment with our true purposes.  Consider getting back into alignment with your original purposes by  linking arms with a supportive,  informed and honest professional! That's me of course (smiles). 

I was  created to counsel, and through the years I’ve gained skills, training  and insight from the best! I’ve provided therapy for those experiencing  grief & loss, depression, anxiety, trauma & substance use. I  link arms with clients within an individual or group setting by helping  them to identify goals and decrease negative thinking patterns. Let's  agree to work together at identifying negative patterns that you may  have inherited from your familial or environmental experiences. We will  shift the focus onto identifying & implementing your strengths. We  will also partner your strengths with a skill set that reinforces a  behavioral transformation.

Counseling is designed to be a unique setting where a person, family or couple is able to reflect on their experiences within a safe environment. When people are able to feel truly supported in therapy they work towards self-actualization and meaning. As a therapist, my goal is to provide everyone with a productive experience that includes significant support, intentional challenges and a place for reflection.

It has been a privilege working in the counseling field for over ten years with adults, adolescents and families. In that time, it has become clear that the match between client and counselor is extremely important.

It can be difficult to get an understanding of a therapist by seeing a picture and reading a short paragraph. If you think I maybe the right match for you and/or your family, please feel free to call anytime for more information.

“We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.”
– Thich Nhat Hahn

I am passionate about assisting young adults and adults with achieving their goals through creative interventions and mindfulness-based practice. I am also dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming environment for each individual served and believe humor can be as helpful to the therapeutic process as empathy and understanding.  My approach to therapy is holistic, integrative, and intentional with a strong foundation in CBT, humanistic, and person-centered theories applied to most effectively meet individual needs.

I hold a Master of Science degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from Eastern Virginia Medical School and am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Board Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC), and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC). My graduate research project focused on the use of art therapy to assist law enforcement officers with stress management and I am passionate about supporting military members, LEO’s, and other first responders with trauma and stress-related needs. I completed my master’s level clinical training in a variety of settings including an inpatient mental health acute hospitalization program, a partial hospitalization program for substance use, a domestic violence shelter working with children and families, and in-school based programs. 

Upon graduation, I provided intensive community-based services to children, teens, and adults and intensive crisis stabilization services to individuals experiencing and following mental health crisis. Prior to joining Artisan, I worked with children and teens in acute hospitalization for stabilization and in residential treatment programs focused primarily on treating significant behavior and mood, trauma, and co-occurring substance use disorder needs.

When not in my professional role, I enjoy spending time with two dogs, creating personal artwork, bonfires, hiking, and gardening.

Seeking counseling takes courage, you have taken the first step in seeking support, allow me to serve as a guide as you navigate the therapeutic process. My passion for mental health comes from a genuine desire to help people become better versions of themselves. I work collaboratively with children, adolescents, and adults in the areas of depression, anxiety, emotional and behavioral issues with children, relationships, bereavement, trauma, substance use, and phase of life issues. I offer both individual and couples counseling. I utilize a combination of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and Motivational Interviewing to facilitate the therapeutic process. As a result of therapy, it is my belief that you will be empowered with new strategies to become the best version of yourself.

"Courage doesn't happen when you have all the answers. It happens when you are ready to face the questions you have been avoiding your whole life" 

-Shannon L. Alder

I graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School with a Masters Degree in Art Therapy. In addition I am a veteran who served in the Navy for eight years before being honorably discharged. I come from a Navjo reservation located in Northern New Mexico. My personal background, education and military experience has given me a passion to support diverse populations who are seeking counseling. 

I take a person-centered art-based approach to therapy. There is no need to be an expert at art to discover healing power of art for your mind, body and soul. It is though reflection within the creative process and verbal expression that you can cultivate new ways to achieve your life goals, overcome obstacles and achieve deeper meaning. 

My background includes working with children, adolescents and adults, through art-based modalities to assist with fostering self-efficacy, improve relationships within the home and school environment, enhance social skills, and resolve conflict. I have worked with adults from many different backgrounds to include veterans, who suffer from PTSD, anxiety, depression and traumatic brain injuries. 

My passion is to help, individuals, families and communities to develop a healthy sense of self and belonging, through an art-based approach. 

The way we see our world can often shape how we think and what we feel. Are you struggling with difficult thoughts or emotions and not sure how to work through them? Counseling is an excellent way to work through difficult topics. I have always been passionate about supporting others and helping them to navigate through issues that are troubling them. It would be my pleasure to partner with you in the therapeutic journey. 

I work with both adolescents and adults in the areas of substance abuse, relationship issues, and self-identified topics. I integrate a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT); Solution Focused (SFBT) therapeutic approaches to facilitate the changes you are wanting to see. As a result of therapy, you will be armed with new tools and skills to improve quality of life that you didn’t have before you started.

“I change my thoughts; I change my world”

- Norman Vincent Peale.