Being a therapist is what I was meant to do.
I am a Grief Counselor because I have experienced great loss myself over the years. Now, it’s my calling to help my clients find their own way through life’s sorrows.
Let me tell you a little about myself and why I do this work.
I remember, as a very small child, talking with a little old man sitting alone on a park bench. I said hello as a fearless, precocious 4-year-old is want to do, and he smiled and asked my name.
We exchanged a few words, and then my mother whisked me away firmly telling me, “Never talk to strangers.” In that brief encounter, I felt something exchange between the old man and me. I didn’t know what it was then, but I did know that I had brought a smile to his sad face.
That was the beginning of my desire to be a Social Worker. I have had many jobs in my youth and adult life, but none as fulfilling as working with people, bringing a little peace and understanding into their lives, helping them through hard times both physically and emotionally.
I came to grief counseling after my own losses brought to light how little resources there are for those experiencing grief and loss in our society.
I like, everyone else, have lost parents, grandparents, friends, and relatives throughout my life. But until I experienced the abrupt and unexpected loss of my 25-year relationship, I didn’t know pain and grief. This was supposed to be my happily ever after, forever.
I was working my way through this grief and pain when my son died by suicide the next year. I thought I had known pain in the past, but the pain and sorrow I experienced at his death was like nothing I had ever experienced in my life.
I sought help to deal with the loss and grief, only to be told that my loss was too fresh, and I needed to wait for about six months before I attempted any form of therapy.
I was devastated. I reached out for help, and there was no help to be found. I vowed then that if I had anything to do with it, this would never happen to another soul.
My son’s untimely death brought me to my real purpose in life. Through grief counseling, I help those who are suffering from loss and grief and feel alone — like I did.
If you’re here, that’s probably you right now. Please know you are not alone. I’m here to help.
In addition to my own personal story, my experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) has lead me on my path toward grief counseling.
I earned my Bachelor of Science from Gardner Webb University, then graduated with a Joint Master of Social Work from University of North Carolina Greensboro and A&T University Greensboro in 2002.
For the past 16 years, I have been working with people diagnosed with kidney failure and are on dialysis — who are suffering due to the death of a loved one or close friend, chronic illness, loss of job, loss of identity, and loss of dreams for the future.
I am also a Grief Counseling Professional, pursuing full Certification as a Grief Counselor, as well as a Pet Loss Grief Counseling Certification.
I know that you can find happiness after grief because I have, too. Despite my losses, I genuinely love life!
I love adventure, travel, meeting new people, and experiencing new and different cultures and foods.
Kayaking on the lake with my Australian Shepherd, Winston, is one thing that never fails to bring me joy. We go to the lake as often as possible, and he loves being in the water.
I have two living sons and four grandchildren. I love being an active part in their lives and being able to do things they enjoy like going to Comic Con with my grandson and getting a tattoo with my granddaughter. Spending Thanksgiving with the whole family is such a joy and something I look forward to every year.
I mentioned getting a tattoo with my granddaughter, but that’s a little bit of a lie. . . because we have actually gotten two tattoos together! The first joint tattoo was identical, commemorating a trip we took together when she was 18. I cherish that tattoo.
The other was a shared experience, but we both got designs that had unique meanings unrelated to each other. My tattoo is one word: Wanderlust. Her tattoo is the constellation Aquarius. Some people don’t like tattoos, but I admire beauty wherever I find it. I have found that asking someone about their tattoo is a good way to start a conversation, and you hear some interesting stories in the process.