Calm mind, open heart

With 45 years of experience in the healing arts, I hold a deep appreciation for how our mind, body, and spirit are interconnected. Human beings function as integrated systems and a change in one part of the system will echo, either positively or negatively, in other parts of the system. I believe – and practice – that a calm mind and open heart help us live more authentically, more in touch with ourselves, with others, and with our natural environment.

In “previous lives” I worked as a yoga/meditation teacher, pizza maker, newspaper delivery gal, landscaper, massage therapist, and editor at The Mother Earth News. After a long career in journalism (including 20 years as a writer/editor at Florida’s largest newspaper), I entered graduate school at age 52 and earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Clemson University. I’m now a nationally board-certified counselor (NBCC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I have experience working with clients of many different ages and situations: children; adolescents; adults; couples; families; college students; hospice patients; domestic violence survivors. My post-graduate training includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. I’m also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.

In 2019 I earned a certificate in Clinical Ecotherapy from the EarthBody Institute in Oakland, California. Since that time, ecotherapy — also known as nature-based counseling — has become a strong foundation for my work with clients. I am a native of these South Carolina mountains, and feel deeply at home here. It’s a joy for me to share the Upstate’s natural beauty with others, especially within a context of health and wholeness.

I’m also the author of Good Eye, Bad Eye: A Memoir of Trauma and Truth--the story of my own childhood injury and the spiritual search that led me to peace and acceptance of my disability. You can read more about the book on the Resources page of this website.

Whatever difficulties you may be facing, I look forward to working with you as we explore ways to restore balance and wellness in your life. Together, we will focus on stabilizing turbulent emotions, identifying and mobilizing your uniquely personal coping skills, and formulating goals to help you move forward into a healthier, happier life.

I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, panic attacks, bipolar disorder, grief and bereavement, self-harm, and PTSD. My clinical and personal experience spans a wide variety of concerns: