Progress Not Perfection
Professional Clinical Social Worker
About Me
What makes me unique? Let me share my story with you.
I’m a mother of 4, with two grandchildren. I have real-life experience working with children with mood dysregulation disorders and behavioral disorders. I’m also a Veteran, and have had to find, acknowledge, and accept how my own wartime experiences influenced and changed my life.
I use evidence-based practices, combined with firsthand experiences, to help me heal your mind, heart, and soul. My office is small and private—no clinical feel of being “at the doctor’s office.” I help individuals develop goals that address their desired changes. I treat symptoms, and do not believe in giving ‘big label’ diagnoses.
As a mental health provider, I believe it is essential to meet people where they are at. I strive to maintain a laid back atmosphere, while still taking a direct approach with patients by providing honest, solution-focused feedback. I truly value the therapeutic relationship I establish with each of my patients. I believe that one of the most important aspects of therapy is a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust, non-judgment, compassion, and commitment.
I graduated from the Grace Abbot School of Social Work at the University of Nebraska in Omaha in 2012, with a Master’s in Social Work. Since graduating, I have worked within the local community in a variety of capacities, including private practice (Cross Therapy Center), at the Crossroads of Western Iowa (Trivium Life), at a VA PTSD clinic, and at KVC Behavioral Health. In January of 2022, I opened my own private practice where I am currently the sole provider.
Words of Wisdom
Need a bit of inspiration today? Here are some of my favorite words of wisdom.
– Sometimes, we must have a “good enough” approach. Perfectionism isn’t attainable.
– Strive for progress, not for perfection.
– Give yourself the same grace and comfort as you would your best friend, your partner, your hero, or your child.
– The only things in life you can control are your reactions to people, to situations, or to the environment.
– It’s never too late to prioritize you.
– Setting healthy boundaries, or making yourself a priority, is not selfish.
– Often, the best therapists and mental health providers are those who struggle with mental health themselves (or have/had someone close to them struggle).
How Can We Help?
Trauma
‘Trauma’ is often a relative term. What is traumatic for one person may not be traumatic for someone else.
When an individual has an experience that provokes a long-lasting emotional or physical reaction, they should seek mental health treatment. Untreated trama may lead to the development of anxiety disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), Acute Stress Disorder, and/or Adjustment Disorder.
Behavioral Issues
As much as parents wish they did—kids simply don’t come with instruction manuals. Just like adults, children can experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, and trauma.
Behavioral issues can be troublesome for both children and their parents. It’s normal for children to go through defiant phases as they grow, but they must still learn which rules and boundaries they can challenge—and which ones they can’t. If behavioral issues are interfering with a child’s performance at school, or their relationships with friends/family, it’s time to seek help.
Depression
Have you ever felt like you’re alone, even when you’re in a room full of people? Do you feel like you’re not ‘good enough’? Or that you don’t deserve love, respect, and kindness? Do you feel like you are a burden to others?
If any of that sounds familiar, you may be experiencing symptoms of depression. Depression can occur as a single episode, or can be a larger ongoing issue such as with Major Depressive Disorder. Patients with depression often engage in negative self-talk, and genuinely believe they are unworthy of love and affection.
Anxiety
Although everyone experiences feelings of fear (they help keep us safe!), consistent anxiety symptoms are often a sign to seek treatment. Do any of these statements sound familiar?
- Constantly worrying about a variety of topics
- Obsessing over a specific topic
- Uncontrollable racing thoughts
- Panic attacks (such as a racing heartbeat, difficulty breathing, shaking, sweating for no reason, muscle tension)
- Recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns
- Avoiding situations, people, or places because you feel out of control
Important Disclaimers
The information on this website should not be used to self-diagnose with any mental health disorder. This website contains general knowledge about diagnoses, but does not include the full diagnostic criteria.
A therapeutic relationship with this provider is only established when a treatment plan has been developed. This occurs after the initial appointment.
If you are having throughts of hurting yourself or others, you should seek immediate medical help through your local emergency room or a suicide hotline. Do not wait for this provider, or any other mental health provider to contact you.
This provider does not have a 24-hour answering service. Crisis messages requiring urgent attention should not be left.
What Grace Therapy is NOT:
At Grace Therapy, we provide a wide variety of treatment options for behavioral and mood disorders. However, we do not provide:
- Addiction disorder as a primary diagnosis. We can provide supportive therapy if this is a co-occurring diagnosis.
- Christian therapy. While we can implement a Christian moral approach, we will not quote or use scripture as a therapeutic tool.
- Therapy which invalidates a child’s or teen’s feelings, thoughts, or issues. We are not much help to parents who think their child is “just a drama queen/king.”
- LGBTQ+ affirming or gender identification issues. Although I do serve individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, I am not well-versed in the supports required or the co-occurring issues.
- Adjustment disorders primarily influenced by political affiliation or beliefs regarding the pandemic.
- An intensive outpatient treatment program.
- A sterile “doctor’s office”-type setting.
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