A joke I appreciate is to “never trust a therapist with a good childhood” – like the joke not to trust a thin chef. But to be honest, there is a ring of truth to the therapist one – although I know there are some great thin chefs out there!

As a licensed clinical psychologist, I’ve completed more school than I care to think about (I graduated from Wheaton College with a doctorate in clinical psychology) and have received rigorous training and experiences that many other clinicians have not (I am a former U.S. Army psychologist). However, I don’t think that’s the most valuable thing I have to offer to you. Because of my life experiences and who I am as a clinician, I believe I am uniquely positioned to help those who feel hurt, stuck, or in over their head.

As a therapist, my style is warm, conversational, and less structured. A large part of what makes therapy work is the professional relationship between the therapist and the client. Because of this, I want to share some parts of my story that I think helps make me who I am:

• As a child of divorced parents, I understand how complicated family can get and how painful some of the closest relationships in your life can become. 

• As a singer and musician (piano and tuba), I have an appreciation for the arts and creative pursuits. 

• As a former college football player, I understand the unique challenges and mindset of former (or current) athletes and competitors. 

• As someone who grew up with immediate family members suffering from mental health struggles, I understand how hard it can be for children to discover their identity and feel safe in a world that seems confusing. 

• As a former U.S. Army psychologist and Veteran, I understand the unique blessings and burdens of military service. 

• As a practicing Christian, I understand the importance of faith in a person’s life (while respecting those of other faiths or those who do not practice any specific faith). 

• As a West Michigan-native, I know the area with its culture, history, and am excited to give back to the community.

My goal is to help you learn about yourself and grow so you can take charge of your life and build motivation to become the person you want to be! I specialize in ADHD assessment for both adolescents and adults and have limited hours for adult therapy clients. 

If you are interested in an ADHD evaluation or interested in starting therapy, please reach out for a free 15-minute consultation with me so we can chat about you (or your child) and see if we might be a good fit!