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The Style Stuff
My style has been called refreshingly honest, and direct. Some people have even told me I have a good “BS detector”. I identify as a highly sensitive person and tend to be very intuitive. It’s pretty common for me to easily tune in to what’s going on with you, or ‘sense’ when something is off. I enjoy helping people learn to become better at trusting their own intuition. I like helping people who feel like their "life is a mess", and want to start living differently with big changes.
There is a lot of laughter in my office! I believe that laughter really IS some of the best medicine. And it’s always good to be in touch with and nurture your silly side.
People who come to me have often tried everything they can think of before considering therapy. In my view, you’ve suffered long enough. It’s time to get to the point so that you can begin living your life again.
The Personal Stuff
I’ve lived in Texas for almost my entire life, with a brief stint in Napa, California. I loved Sonoma and Napa Counties, but I was out of there after my first earthquake! I enjoy spending time with family, road trips, getting to the mountains and ocean whenever possible, spending time with my cats, and volunteering. I love to read but mostly I stick to audio books – because I’m usually multi-tasking. I’m an avid watcher of movies and TV, and love nearly all types of music (you’d want me on your trivia team). I am an adopted person and have been reunited with my biological family for over 20 years. I started Kingsman Consulting, LLC in 2008 and now run FindSelf Counseling.
The Academic Stuff
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (Colorado, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina and Texas)
BS in Human Development & Family Studies from Texas Tech University
Master’s in Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington
Since 2000, I’ve been a public speaker and trainer on issues such as adoption, cultural competence, sexual assault and domestic violence, legislative advocacy, intersectionality of oppression, LGBTQIA issues, prevention of sexual violence, gender norms, peace building with youth, bystander intervention and community mobilization.
Memberships: National Association of Social Workers; Adoption Knowledge Affiliates; Texas Association Against Sexual Assault; Texas Council for Family Violence; Lifetime Member Phi Alpha Social Work Honors Society
Additional Training: EMDR Trained Therapist; Certified in Critical Incident Stress Management; Certified ‘Respecting Choices’ Last Steps Advance Planning Facilitator; Trained Mediator
The Experience Stuff
My first calling was non-clinical Social Work – things like policy, community organizing, and nonprofit management. And I still love it. But ten years after completing my LMSW-AP (advanced licensure for non-clinical social work), it was time for me to transition from the nonprofit world to healthcare as a hospice Social Worker, eventually entering private practice.
My experience is broad, and I have worked in a variety of social service settings, including: rape crisis centers and domestic violence agencies providing crisis intervention and coordinating outreach, volunteer and team management, prevention and education programming for adults and youth; hospital case management; home-visiting and admissions for hospice; child abuse prevention; and adult day care.
Even though I now work in private practice, I continue to participate with mezzo and macro level projects. Since 2003, I have participated in the coordination of legislative advocacy efforts in Texas to pass legislation restoring access to original birth certificates for adult adopted persons.
For the past two decades I’ve served as a volunteer for state and national nonprofit organizations for adoption education and reform as an organizer, presenter, peer support, and board member. I’m proud to be a founding Board member of Support Texas Adoptee Rights (STAR). My greatest passion, though, is to bridge social justice movements by advocating for adopted people and other marginalized groups.
Awards
2014 Black Trans Men, Inc. – Community Ally of the Year
2017 Altrusa Richardson Outstanding Woman of the Year – Healthcare Nominee
2018 National Association of Social Workers North Central Texas Dallas Area – Social Worker of the Year