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Meet Your Next Right Step Therapy
My Story:
Hello, and welcome!
Do you ever feel overwhelmed, challenged by life, or stuck facing an obstacle? If so, I invite you to join me in a supportive and open space where you can learn, grow, and thrive. Together, we will identify your strengths, explore solutions, and help you live with meaning and purpose.
Here, you can step away from the busyness of life, take a deep breath, and reconnect with yourself. As F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “For what it’s worth… it’s never too late, or in my case too early, to be whoever you want to be.”
My motto is simple: “There is always a solution.” With over 20 years of experience supporting teenagers and adults, I specialize in dual diagnosis, anxiety, depression, mood management, stress, substance use, burnout, grief and loss, life transitions, gambling, and relapse prevention.
My passion is helping people create fulfilling and rewarding lives—no matter where they are starting from. Whatever challenge you face, there is always a solution, and I’m here to help you find it.
More about me:
My background
I am a Clinical Social Worker licensed in Kansas and Missouri, with additional licensure in addiction counseling and certification in problem gambling counseling. I hold a Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri, Kansas City (UMKC) and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration from Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri.
Over the past two decades, I have worked across a broad spectrum of mental health and addiction services, including roles as front-line staff, therapist, team lead, and director. My experience spans crisis services, developmental disability programs, inpatient psychiatric units, inpatient substance use treatment facilities, outpatient dual diagnosis programs, and private practice therapy.
I have presented at numerous conferences and trainings on topics such as Mental Health First Aid, Dual Diagnosis, Medication Assisted Treatment, and through Johnson County’s Leadership Empowers All People (LEAP) program.
I have completed specialized certificate trainings in the Community Reinforcement Approach and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, in addition to full coursework required for addiction and gambling counseling credentials.
My work is driven by a commitment to helping individuals and families find meaningful solutions, build resilience, and thrive in all areas of life.
Why I do what i do
When I was in high school, a loved one was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Through their experience, I witnessed firsthand what it’s like to navigate a first psychotic break, as well as the depression and anxiety that often follow. What stood out most wasn’t the diagnosis—it was the person. Despite the label, they remained the same intelligent, funny, and caring individual I had always known. That experience shaped my understanding early on: a diagnosis does not define someone.
Since then, I’ve encountered other friends and loved ones in my life who have faced challenges with addiction, anxiety, depression, and more. Each experience has taught me something new and given me a fresh perspective. I have also faced personal struggles, including losing my father at the young age of 22 and other loved ones over the years, which has given me an intimate understanding of what it means to walk through grief.
After many years working in both inpatient and outpatient settings, I chose to focus on what I love most—helping people—in a setting that allows for greater balance in my own life. I am passionate about serving others and skilled at recognizing their strengths and accomplishments.
Your Next Right Step Therapy was born from my passion for helping others. Throughout my career, I’ve made it a priority to build strong connections with those I work alongside—many of whom have become close friends. I take pride in seeking out people who are not only skilled and compassionate but who also share my strong work ethic.
Over the years, cultivating these relationships has allowed me to surround myself with colleagues who are highly skilled, collaborative, and truly exceptional at what they do. I am grateful to have several of these colleagues working alongside me at Your Next Right Step, helping to create a supportive, professional, and compassionate environment for everyone we serve.
on a personal note
On a personal note, I’ve been with my husband for 28 years and married for 22. Building Your Next Right Step Therapy was an amazing project for us both! My husband (and business partner) has been with me every step of the way.
We have two wonderful children—both young adults, a son who resides with us while working full time in the mental health field while attending a local university and a daughter who is studying psychology at an out of state university.
I’m a lifelong resident of the Kansas City metro area, though I’ve loved traveling across the United States and visiting several countries around the world. I enjoy experiencing and learning about different cultures, beliefs, and people.
In my free time, I love spending time with my family and our Flat-Coated Retriever. I also enjoy biking, going to the gym, reading (usually with a cat in my lap), relaxing on my deck (often with my large dog nearby), traveling, and connecting with friends.