I welcome you to HopeAllianz and believe that the counseling, coaching, and educational programs provided will be beneficial for you to develop and enrich your quality of life in a positive, nurturing, and motivating way. Let me tell you a bit more about me ...

Educational Background: I have been in the mental health profession for 18 years. I received my Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Masters in Social Work (MSW) from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I have received my doctorate (PhD) in Professional Counseling with an emphasis in Clinical Social Work from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Licensure: I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) licensed by the Board of Social Work in the State of Minnesota (License #10662), as well as a Personal LifeSkills Coach and Consultant. I have been certified as a Board Certified Diplomat in Clinical Social Work (BCD), a national credential issued to advanced practitioners by the American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work.

Professional Affiliations: My professional affiliations include the American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work (ABE), Clinical Social Work Association (CSWA), International Society for Mental Health Online (ISMHO), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and the National Association for Social Work (NASW).

Clinical Practice: In my clinical practice (in-person and online), I provide holistic services (understanding the "whole person"), which focuses on the mind, body, and spirit connection, as well as promote mental health, wellness, and lifeskills education to individuals, couples, families, and the community.

Areas of Interest: I have a wide range or interests, however my primary area of interest is helping my clients find their healthy paths in developing and enriching their lives with lifeskills. I am also interested in (a) working with individuals and families experiencing mental illness ... my research and dissertation was titled "The Tie That Binds and Heals: Families' Life Experiences with Mental Illness;" (b) I am in the process of developing a DBT/ACT/HUGS™ program titled "LifeSkills 101 for Life Enrichment;" (c) Wellness Workshops offered to the community at no cost; (d) LifeSkills Institute™ being considered; and (e) issues of loss and grief, which are intertwined into our everyday structure of life.

Mindfulness Emphasis: I emphasize the importance of "mindfulness" in everyday living ... awareness of self and surroundings. We need time to remember ... time to just be ... time to dream ... nourishing our mind, body, and spirit ... while embracing each moment of the day. HopeAllianz provides you with a safe place to come ... to ask questions .. to address your concerns. I will provide you with a compassionate, caring, nonjudgmental atmosphere in which to find your answers. HopeAllianz focuses on challenging, supporting, and guiding individuals to reach their fulfillment of wholeness identity, dignity, and sense of self!