Truelove Counseling

I became a counselor because I strongly believe that there is hope for even the darkest situation and everyone deserves a chance to heal. I consider myself abundantly fortunate to have had the honor of working with people and families struggling with addiction issues. I have found these souls to be the most kindhearted, talented, artistic, intelligent, and good-humored. Throughout my career I have held various roles ranging from direct care staff to leadership. I worked as a clinician and later, Clinical Manager at Austin Recovery’s Family House program, where pregnant women and women with young children were treated for substance use disorder in a residential setting. This is where I had the opportunity to address perinatal mental health and addiction issues, post-partum depression, and parenting issues with clients. I was the 2019 speaker at Perinatal Mental Health and Wellness Conference: University of Texas: Steve Hicks School of Social Work. “Enhancing Perinatal and Postpartum Care in Residential SUD Treatment” Through my work as Clinical Director I provided supervision to therapists and others in the helping field. I understand the emotional toll the work can have. I assist individuals that are experiencing compassion fatigue, burn-out and vicarious trauma. These issues are not exclusive to therapist, unfortunately they are also common for healthcare professions, educators, law enforcement, firefighters, family caretakers, and first responders. I earned a Bachelor of Art in Mass Communication and Journalism, and Master of Art in Social Work from Texas State University. I also hold an associates degree in Addiction Counseling from San Antonio College. I am licensed by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supervisor and licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. My hobbies included spending time outdoors, playing with my dogs, and spending time with family. Approach I have an eclectic approach to therapy; person-centered, strengths-based, solution-focused with the guiding philosophy that you are the expert on your life. My role is to support you in your process of finding the answers within yourself. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Attachment Theory to guide our work. Philosophy on Addiction Addiction is a disease of the brain that effects a person’s choice making ability. A person with substance use disorder may be unable to stop using despite the desire to do so. Because addiction is a family disease, each member of the family needs support and a safe place to process their experience. Family members play a role in the dynamic that can contribute to the substance abuser’s continued use or recovery. I believe in harm-reduction. I work with people with the goal of complete abstinence, those who want to moderate, and those that want to explore the effect alcohol and substances have in their life. I am familiar with the 12-step program and principles, and I also support clients in the path to recovery they choose.