Since graduating from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2001, I have been working in various fields of social work dedicated to working with the elderly, their families and those who care for them in a long term care setting. I have had the opportunity to work with a few children focusing on DBT for adolescents and past traumas as well as adults in a mandatory mental health setting. I have vast experience in working with those living with Dementia and care partners of the elderly. I am licensed in Arkansas and have obtained certifications as a Certified Validation Worker, Activity Consultant – Board Certified, and am an Instructor for the Positive Approach to Brain Change. For the past 21 years I was a Social/Activity/Dementia Consultant and Educator at Dusty Linn Consulting, Inc working all over the state of Arkansas and traveling and training across the country. I am currently working at Rock Counseling located in Greenbrier AR and have opportunities to work with the above mentioned populations. My current role as a therapist on TotalLife.com enables me to focus on my passion to support older adults and that’s important to me because those are my people. I have always had a passion to work with the elderly and have spent my life dedicated to this and furthering my education to be able to provide quality services to the elderly and those who are their care partners.
About I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 21 years experience focusing on the elderly population. My experience also includes working with many demographics including ages 13 and up. I have worked in a setting that includes those living with severe mental illness as well as those struggling with anxiety, depression, past trauma and life adjustment. I was a Social/Activity/Dementia Consultant in nursing homes for approximately 20 years before getting Ovarian Cancer and needing to get off the road. I now work in a private practice setting. In my sessions, I focus on using evidence-based techniques such as DBT, CBT, EMDR and Brainspotting in order to help clients improve in the areas of Anxiety, Depression and PTSD. My counseling style is very client led and focuses on teaching clients skills to utilize on their own to enhance their ability to improve their mental health. Many of my clients have said, “you have changed the way I think and that has changed everything for me”. I take the time to listen to my clients for themes and underlying issues they may not be aware of. For me, it’s an honor to be allowed in people’s lives at such a vulnerable time. In my spare time, I like to spend time with my husband, my sons and my dog. I love to sit on my front porch swing and be outside. I love the water – the ocean, lakes or pools. My favorite quote is “you will reap what you sew but gardens don’t grow overnight”. It’s based from scripture but with my added ending.