Coordinator of MSW Training
Licensed Master of Social Work, Clinical/Macro
Calvin College (B.A.), Western Michigan University (M.S.W.)

Email: [email protected]

StrengthsFinder Top 5: Empathy, Connectedness, Adaptability, Deliberative, Developer

Approach to Therapy: Collaboration is the foundation of my work with students. Students are the experts on their own lives and concerns. I have experience and training in how to help people make the changes they desire in their lives. Together we look at the student’s concerns and goals, and create a roadmap towards change. Sometimes it means learning some new coping skills or practices. Sometimes it means learning to manage certain thoughts, feelings and behaviors differently. Other times it means going deeper into understanding how past and current experiences are contributing to the concerns a student has.

Campus and Community Involvement:

• Part-time Professor, GVSU School of Social Work

Areas of Clinical Interest:

• Identity development and personal growth
• Grief and loss
• Anxiety disorders
• Mindfulness-based approaches to healing

Self-Care:

• Spending time with my spouse, family, and friends
• Exercise--Biking, hiking, kayaking, spin class
• Mindfulness practices
• Being in nature – photography, rock/gem/fossil collecting

Fun Fact/s:

• I was Pre-Med for 7 weeks - you can probably guess how that turned out.
• I was a volunteer DJ for four years at a local community radio station that featured folk, blues, jazz, rock and worldbeat music.