I am a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) with over ten years of experience. Although I obtained my LSW recently, I started my career with my Master’s in Sociology from Illinois State University in 2012. Sociology was appealing to me because none of us live in a vacuum–we need other people to survive, and our relationships with those people and society in general affect nearly everything about us, including our physical and mental health. I worked in community mental health, helping adults with serious mental illnesses and/or addictions live and function as independently as possible in the community. This work led me to return to school to obtain my master’s in social work (MSW), so I could build on my experience with clinical knowledge. I graduated from Illinois State University in 2024 with my MSW. My primary theoretical orientation is dialectical behavior therapy. However, I utilize techniques from cognitive behavior therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, and trauma informed treatment to best meet the needs of my client. I am committed to working with adults from all walks of life, as I did during my time in community mental health. My goal is to create a safe space where clients feel seen and heard.