I began college at 40 with questions about whether I had waited too long and whether I truly belonged in an academic setting. What started as a desire to better understand people became a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and purpose. Earning my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University, with a minor in criminal justice, taught me that growth is not limited by age or circumstance. My education gave language to lessons life had already begun teaching me: every person carries a story, behavior has meaning, and genuine support begins by listening without judgment and honoring the whole person.

Today, as a Master of Social Work student at VCU, I bring together lived experience, clinical training, and more than two decades of professional leadership. My field education has strengthened my understanding of trauma-informed assessment, group support, client education, and collaborative care, while my professional career has developed my communication, accountability, adaptability, and ability to remain grounded in demanding situations. I hope to serve adults, couples, families, and groups navigating trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. I am committed to practicing with empathy, cultural humility, ethical responsibility, and the belief that people are more than the difficulties they have faced—they also carry strengths, possibilities, and the capacity for meaningful change.