Hello!

I grew up as a Mississippi native in a military family. I saw the movie "Pay it Forward" when I was 14 & it changed my life. I knew when I saw the idea about helping 3 people, then those 3 people help 3 people each, & so on, that this is what I wanted to do with my life. I felt then and now that I would never tire of helping people in some capacity or another and that it is truly what God has called me to do.

I have a Bachelor's of Arts in psychology from Mississippi University for Women & a Master's of Science in clinical mental health counseling from Mississippi State University. I truly enjoyed both universities. I also got to work at Mississippi State while attending as a graduate assistant in the Health & Wellness department. My job was to educate students on alcohol and substance use and abuse, eating disorders, nutrition, and various other health topics. I also led a large volunteer group there.

My first official job in counseling was as an adolescent offender therapist (AOP) at Community Counseling Center in Starkville, MS. It was there that I learned more about the legal and justice system and how much society is failing the teenagers of today by ignoring the connection between mental health and behavioral issues.
I later took a position as a part-time addictions therapist at an outpatient center in Starkville, MS that no longer exists. It was there that I found my passion in working with addictions. I then worked full-time at Recovery House in Columbus, MS which is a women’s inpatient treatment center. I was the transitions counselor (after 90 day graduation) there which I absolutely loved. It was there that I provided job and interviewing skills, taught life skills, did resumes, started and ran an art therapy group, provided individual and family counseling, aftercare meetings weekly, and psycho-education as needed.

Once I obtained my supervised LPC hours, I got my official license in counseling (#1977). My husband and I then moved to the MS coast and I worked at a large private practice firm. I specialized in teens, young adults, and addictions. I also ran art therapy groups and social anxiety skills groups.

I opened my own practice, Arrow Counseling Services, LLC in 2016 in Gulfport, MS. When my husband found out that he would be deploying to the Middle East, we decided to move back to north MS to be closer to family. Arrow Counseling Services, LLC has been going strong here in Tupelo, MS since September 1, 2017. I have also branched out as a business consultant helping others build their own counseling agencies. I ensure my desire of quality over quantity and keep a mid-sized case load, so as to allow availability to the clients I am currently working with. This is most important to me. As I continue in my own life experiences, I have added to my bandwidth of knowledge with counseling issues, such as: chronic illnesses; post-partum and motherhood; fertility issues; racism; and being a woman in the business world.

In my spare time, I'm a proud military wife, mom to a precious little boy, and dog mom to two pups. My husband and I finished building our dream house before the pandemic. We attend Hope Church and one of my passions are mission trips related to addiction and homelessness. I have had the fortune of going to the Dream Center in LA to serve and the Rock Ministries in Kensington, Philadelphia which was featured on A&E's Intervention series. My favorite charity is the Humane Society.

I am currently pursuing further education in addictions training and TF-CBT (trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy). I recently became certified as a Distance Service Provider for telehealth services in Mississippi. I am open to telehealth, but only after I have established a therapeutic relationship with a client first (often takes 4-6 sessions). I would love to eventually teach basic psychology courses one day.

I am also doing consulting for others opening their own businesses, mostly in counseling. I have recently helped a few local practices get started and running.