My Education

In 2018, I received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Philosophy with a concentration in Logic, Representation, and Reasoning from North Carolina State University. Then in 2020, I obtained a Master of Science Degree in Clinical Counseling with an emphasis in Addictions from East Carolina University. I am now a fully Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist.

My Related Experience

During the Fall of 2019, I completed an internship at ECU Physician’s Adult Specialty Care where I provided counseling to people living with HIV (PLWH). This was followed by an internship during the Spring of 2020 at UNC’s Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program where I provided group and individual counseling to people with addiction-related concerns.

I worked in community mental health from July 2020 to May 2022 providing counseling services on an Assertive Community Treatment Team and then mostly on an outpatient basis. I addressed a variety of presentations including severe and persistent mental illness, substance use disorders, anxiety, depression, grief, and much more.

In 2022, I returned to UNC ASAP, now known as UNC Substance Treatment and Recovery. I counseled people on substance use issues and related mental health concerns utilizing group therapies and individual counseling.

Since June 2023, I have been affiliated with BHA primarily offering individual psychotherapy services to adults and teenagers, while also offering some couples and family services.

My Special Training or Certifications

In the Fall of 2023, I began core training in ISTDP (Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Therapy) which is an EDT (Experiential Dynamic Therapy). This is a 3-year training, and I am expected to complete this training in the summer of 2026. Additionally, I participate in ISTDP (or ISTDP-informed) training and supervision with Johannes Kieding and am expected to complete that 1.5 year-long core training by December 2025. You can read more about ISTDP here.  

I have an additional license and specialty in addictions. While many clients I work with do not experience any substance use concerns, this background is helpful due to the prevalence of co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns. My master’s level training emphasized Addictions Counseling, and I was the recipient of the Jennifer Elizabeth “Beth” Lambeth Memorial Scholarship in Addictions and Rehabilitations Studies. I have received further training in Motivational Interviewing and ASAM criteria, both of which I deem as essential tools for helping clients navigate their issues related to substance use.

I have been personally engaged with the practice of mindfulness since 2010, which has included multi-year immersive programs and multi-week/month-long retreats. I have guided mindfulness practices to male inmates prior to my work as a counselor and have continued to offer the practice in group and individual therapy settings. Mindfulness is a core component of many evidence-based psychotherapies including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance Commitment Therapy amongst others.

My Areas of Focus

I work primarily with adults and adolescents (and their caregivers).

• Depressive Symptoms
• Anxiety
• Difficulties in Relationships
• Personality/Characterological Issues
• Grief
• Adjusting to Major Life Changes and Loss
• Substance Use or Other Maladaptive Coping/Self-Defeating Behaviors
• And much more

My Purpose for Choosing Counseling/Clinical Social Work

I am drawn to three questions which I believe landed me into the field of clinical counseling: 1) How do we address suffering? 2) How do we develop a sense of connection? 3) How do we live authentically?

My Life Outside the Office

I enjoy spending time with my fiancée, twin brother, nephew, family, and 3 little dogs. When I am not in the office, I like to be outside doing yardwork, gardening, or sitting on the porch. I collect records/CDs with my brother and like to listen to and play music. I like to read–mostly science, philosophy, and therapy books.