“It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey

that matters in the end.” – Ernest Hemingway

​​

I appreciate you finding and exploring my site. I’m happy to share a bit about

myself as a person and a professional. This site will also have various resources

and recommendations for websites, books and movies you may find helpful.

 

In 2017, I left Baker Victory Services after 28 years to begin new ventures by

opening a private practice and taking on training and consulting

opportunities.  I have been working with people since I graduated from high

school and knew early on in my days at Penn State that a social work professional

was where I was headed. Little did I know where it would lead.

 

Along the way, I have had the opportunity to learn from so many people,

only hoping that they perhaps learned from me as well. When I opened my practice, I was reminded about the satisfaction of working with adults and couples, helping tap into past experiences, learn from those experiences and seek a happier and more fulfilled life.

For many years, I worked with children, adolescents and their families. These new opportunities have been exciting as well.  I’ve also had the opportunity to serve as a trainer and consultant for Adoption Star, working with families as they prepare for older child adoption.

​

I began my career as a youth worker and spent my summers working at camps. In 1987, I fulfilled one of my dreams and became the Camp Director at Camp Lakeland in Franklinville, NY. In 1988, I arrived on the Baker Victory Services campus as a therapist. Fast forward nearly 30 years, and I was honored to have known and impacted the lives of countless youths in a number of capacities. I was a clinical coordinator for the school-based Day Treatment program, and Director of Outpatient Services In 2006, I was named Division Administrator for the agency's Office of Mental Health programs which added to my responsibilities was oversight of a 45-bed Residential Treatment Facility and related programs.

​

I also became involved in the agency adoption program working with families in our Family Summer Adoption Program. I was also a driving force behind Baker Victory's efforts in adopting and implementing the internationally acclaimed Sanctuary Model, an organizational trauma-informed model of practice dealing with emotionally disturbed individuals and the programs that serve them.  

 

My heart has been touched by the individuals and professionals along the way and I have learned to appreciate the individual challenges and the incredible strengths displayed by so many.  In the over 8 years since I began private practice, I have worked with a wide variety of clients. I have had the opportunity to work on issues of anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship struggles. About a third of my practice has been with couples. I work with clients of all ages from 20 – 75 and I have learned so much from many of them for which I am greatly appreciative. I am proud that there are many clients who feel good about our work together and you can find a section on the website that documents client reviews.  If you are interested, there is also a page that identifies a variety of training I have received over the years.

​

On a personal level, I have learned to appreciate nature and the beautiful world that surrounds us. Be it on an afternoon hike on a quiet wooded path, or travels to over 20 national parks, I have learned about peace and serenity.

In the past few years, Recently, I have discovered the satisfaction in exploring the world with photography adventures to Scotland, France, Sicily, Crete, Athens and the Turks and Caicos Islands. I believe and have worked  to understand the satisfaction of capturing beauty through photography and participate in the life long journey towards self-improvement.