About Me: 

Having been born and raised in southern Minnesota, I knew the importance of living and working in rural communities.  Plus, my family is extremely important to me and we all live around southern Minnesota. I have been working as an outpatient mental health therapist for a number of years and started my private practice (Serenity Family Counseling) in 2018.
I have worked with children, adolescents, adults, and families for over 20 years. I have enjoyed working in small rural communities to help keep services local and to provide resources to individuals and families.  My hobbies include spending time with family and friends, volunteering on local committees and organizations, fishing, camping, gardening, ice fishing, traveling, and caring for my pets, Axl and Cain.

Education: 

In 2004, I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Corrections, with a minor in Sociology from Minnesota State University.  After working for a number of years in different settings, I began to realize I wanted to become an outpatient mental health therapist to help people in the therapeutic world.  In 2013, I obtained my Master of Social Work degree from Minnesota State University.  My masters training included a focus in clinical outpatient therapy and school social work, specializing in counseling clients and families and using play therapy/ sand tray therapy.

Clinical License, Credentials, and Memberships:

I currently am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), through the Minnesota Board of Social Work.  Plus, I am nationally credentialed as a Registered Play Therapist (RPT), through the Association for Play Therapy.  I also hold memberships with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Association for Play Therapy (APT).  I am also an approved Minnesota Board of Social Work Clinical Supervisor.

Work Experience:  

Serenity Family Counseling LLC was created in January 2018.  Prior to this, I have worked in a variety of settings including outpatient mental health, community based mental health, school based mental health, (CTSS) rehabilitation services, in-home/group home settings and working with at-risk adolescents on probation and inpatient residential treatment centers.

I work with children as young as 4 years old, adolescents, adults, and families.  I provide individual, family, and group therapies.  I have also worked with a number of diverse individuals and families with a wide range of mental health disorders.  As a “Registered Play Therapist” (RPT), I specialize in a variety of play therapies including sand tray, art play, dramatic play, dollhouse play, puppet play, exploration play, expressive play, and fantasy play.  My theoretical orientation which I have had additional training in includes: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), play therapy/ sand tray, motivational interviewing, solution focused therapy, strength based, and school link programs.

Therapeutic Philosophy:

I believe in providing a caring, supportive, and client-centered environment.  I want to offer effective therapeutic interventions to help adults, families, and children manage their mental health symptoms, so they can live a more happy and healthier lifestyle, plus finding their inner peace of “Serenity” in their life.

Serenity: “the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled”