About Me
I believe it is important to take a step outside your comfort zone. Then take another … and another. The term “comfort zone” is misleading. Our “comfort zone” may be a place where we are using old familial and personal patterns that do not work well. It is only comfortable because we KNOW how it works even if it is not productive. Stepping outside the comfort zone means taking a risk, changing your mind, and learning a new way to be in the world. A way that is YOURS.
I have worked in the psychotherapy field for over 32 years. Initially as an Addictions counselor in California. I worked in Inpatient, Outpatient, DUI and Drug Court modalities in agencies and private practice. I was Certified as a Life Coach in 2006 because I saw a gap between “recovery” from addiction and mental health treatment where the client asked “what now?” “Who am I ?” “What are the rules in life as a recovered person?” Life Coaching for beyond the 12th Step.
In 2014 I moved to Montana after completing a Master’s Degree in Psychology and received licensure in Montana as a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Subsequently I became Certified in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprogramming (EMDR) and as a Master in Hypnosis to enhance my ability to help more people heal from personal blocks, trauma, addiction, chronic disease and mental health issues.
I have taught Psychology, Addictions Treatment , and Self Development in community colleges for over 10 years and have conducted community education, workplace education, and inspirational workshops. I enjoy educating and inspiring others to be successful.
I have been in recovery for over 40 years from alcoholism. I have learned through my own inner work, that things changed as I changed my view of the possibilities. I value myself and the journey I have traveled in this lifetime. Today, I look at life from a healthier direction. I don’t use old rusty coping skills in pursuing my goals now because they don’t work. In the beginning I believed I did not have anything to offer and did not dare to dream. Today I am eager, insightful, compassionate and spiritually connected to God. I do know that if we are willing to take a chance on ourselves, the world will open up for us and the resources will be available for us to use.
As a life coach and therapist, I am compassionate, motivated, and intuitive when working with clients. I listen deeply to my clients on many levels. Some of the tools I have been trained in are helpful in breaking through barriers that hold us back. I believe that we can manifest our future by healing the past and being present in the moment. Moving forward towards our dreams and casting off limitations one by one
Are you able to visualize achieving life-long dreams but not sure how to navigate the road ahead? As your life coach I am a guide and a resource and will support you as you walk toward your successes.
Education
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M.A. in Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapist and Professional Clinical Counselor. California Southern University, Irvine, CA, Graduated June 2014
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Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts: Regents College, New York, NY Degree Conferred July 1996
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Certificate in Chemical Dependency Studies, California State University, Hayward. 1992
Licenses and Certifications
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Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Montana, 2017 to present
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Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) Montana, 2015 to present
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Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Montana, 3/2018 to Present
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Eye Movement Desensitization Reprogramming (EMDR) Certified 2020 to Present, EMDRIA. Initial Training 2018
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Master Hypnotherapy Certification, 2023, Hypnotherapy Professional College
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Certified Gambling Addiction Counselor (CCGC), 1993
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Certified Life & Career Coach CAS, 2006 to present, Life Purpose Institute
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Substance Abuse Professional (SAP for DoT), 1998 to present
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Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADCII), CCAPP, 1994 to 2017
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Internationally Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (ICADC), ICRC, 1995 to 2017
Professional Affiliations
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Critical Incident Stress Management Team, Kalispell, MT – 2018 - 2023
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Treasurer for the California Association of Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC) - 2001
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CAADAC Regional Representative 1/1998-6/2000
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Conference Coordinator for the 1999 Annual CAADAC Conference
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CAARR Consultant – 1999- 2001
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Drug and Alcohol Testing Association Member (DATIA) (Since 1999)
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2000-2001 – Modoc County Grand Jury
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MAADAC and NAADAC – 2015
Teaching
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Flathead Valley Community College – Part-time Adjunct Instructor, Psychology and Chemical Dependency –
2017 to 2021 -
Lassen Community College, Susanville, California, Part-Time Adjunct Instructor, Psychology and Chemical Dependency –
1999 to 2009
