MSW, LCSW-QS, MCAP / Owner and Wellness Visionary
Pronouns: She / Her
Helping teens and adults break free from the things that hold them back and live an authentically, true life.
Specialties: Disordered eating, body image, substance misuse, first responders
(Teens and adults)
“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be!” -Maya Angelou
Everyone deserves to live in this world and be who they truly are. So here’s the deal. This is the part where I used to put all my schooling and professional information. But really that’s all just a bunch of babble. (you can see that babble here).
It took me a while to figure that out. Ridden with catholic guilt and lots of “shoulds” like who others thought I should be or who I needed to be.
I struggled for years to finally figure out who I am and how to truly be who I am.
Yes, I have been there!
I know how much eating disorders suck
I understand anxiety can make you feel crazy.
I get that looking in the mirror and thinking about your body can be lonely.
I know depression can be paralyzing. I have worked on my own path and now I am here to help you work on your path. To guide you on your journey back to your true self.
Perhaps, like me, it may even be discovering who you are without all the titles, accomplishments, perfectionism and “shoulds”.
Now I want you to know that this shit is hard work.
It’s not an easy thing to recover from an eating disorder. Being true to you takes hard work, commitment, drive and all that other stuff.
Much like maintaining an eating disorder…. (ironic huh?)
Ok, so I bet you came here wondering “Can this lady really help me?
What makes her different from anyone else I have seen, worked with, or heard about?”
How did she get to work with people with eating disorders, anxiety and self-esteem issues?
Well buckle up buttercupI This page is just all the degrees and achievements and fabulous things I have done.
This page gets real, vulnerable, authentic and at times maybe even a little “too much”a little .
Because this is the real me.
Look, the truth is I get it. I have been there, I am recovered from the constant obsession with the number on the scale, I overcame that awful voice in my head telling me I wasn’t enough, I found that healthy balance in life with exercise.
Here’s the deal….as I was going through it and looking back now, I know that there was a bigger purpose for the things I have gone through in life.
The meaning of my struggles was that I would be better equipped to help others who want to leave their eating disorder behind, overcome anxiety, and find or reignite their passion for themselves.
I know that reaching out for help can be a super scary thing. What I know now is that the sooner you reach out the better it is for you.
think about how different your life could be in one year from now if you make the decision to take back control of your life and do what it takes to fall back in love with yourself and your life.
Clients who work with me are able to go out to eat and enjoy the food and company.
They get to be free from the thoughts that have come to control them.
They get to enjoy a life free from obsessions and that nasty voice that would come up in their head.
Can you see it?
I know It’s probably pretty hard to see right now, but I know we can get there.
Let’s work to get you living and enjoying life again.
Today, I work hard (Ok maybe not that hard) to be true to who I am. When working with me what you get is what you see!
Some may say I have a twisted sense of humor; I am energetic and sometimes a bit over the top eccentric.
The secret is I have learned to love life and all the blessings I have.
Each of the specialties I have and individuals I work with have a personal story for me.
And ya know what that means?
It means I put 110% into any client that is willing to do the same.
It also means you may be screwed… as you may just have to do something different and move past the chains that have held you back.
It means you will be free to be you with boundaries, coping skills, resiliency and all that other psychobabble crap!
I have been working in the mental health field since 2007. Since a young age I was always a “helper” so becoming a therapist was a natural fit. I founded True You Always in 2020 as a way to provide quality care for people with eating disorders. As I saw the potential and the amazing therapists, counselors and life coaches that were in my life I knew we could do more for more people. True You Always grew quickly from there, gaining experts in may different areas.
In 2007, I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Psychology, as well as a Minor in Women’s Studies and Cognitive Sciences from UCF. I graduated from UW Milwaukee in 2012 with a Masters of Social Work and certificate in therapeutic recreation.
While working on my Master’s degree I worked in a corporate high level job running numerous programs at multiple sites overseeing just under 200 employees at times. I managed a budget of approximately 2 million dollars at the time. In addition to my normal roles I took on corporate roles of team building, community partnerships and fundraising,
Once I graduated with my Master’s, I slowly transitioned to more in the therapeutic worlds. I began specializing in eating disorders and substance use. I worked at a county human services department in a medication assisted treatment program where alongside the courts, jail, probation and parole. Within this position I was also working to develop and facilitate the intoxicated driver’s program, creating and evidence based treatment program.
On the weekends my time was spent working in an eating disorder inpatient unit at Rogers Behavioral Health.
While working at Jefferson County Human Services I was able to restart the Jefferson County Drug Free Coalition. After getting this coalition up and running we were able to secure multiple grants to provide free narcan and overdose prevention trainings as well as other community prevention activities. This coalition has now received the Drug Free Communities grant bringing up to 125K in grant money to provide prevention services to Jefferson County.
After moving to Florida I worked as the treatment director at a Department of Juvenile Justice contracted substance Abuse residential treatment facility. Here I oversaw all the mental health, substance misuse and experiential therapy received by the residents. From this position I moved to supervising the state of Florida for a national substance misuse company specializing in pregnant women and later helping them to expand into all populations. Here I oversaw all fiscal and clinical staff and responsibilities for the state.
All these experiences (and to be honest many others) led me to creating True You Always and prioritizing client and clinician needs over profit and corporate greed that is seen in so many corporate companies led by non clinical professionals. I knew there was a better way and my experiences and expertises had provided every opportunity to create a company founded in authenticity and work/life balance.
Some of the approaches I am trained in and use frequently include Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Internal Family Systems.
Florida Credentials:
MCAP: Master Certified Addiction Professional
LCSW-QS: Licensed Clinical Social Worker – Qualified Supervisor
Wisconsin Credentials:
LCSW-SA: Licensed Clinical Social Worker- Substance Abuse Specialty
Missouri Credentials:
LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
After much hesitation and delay, I am currently in the process of obtaining my Certified Eating Disorder Specialist(CEDS) through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP).
160 Island Beach Blvd
Merritt Island, FL 32952
(321) 613-8685
Counseling offered via online
telehealth in Wisconsin & Florida.
Life Coaching offered via telehealth in all states
