"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you"- Maya Angelou
About Me
After several years working at UW Madison in student services, I shifted to a career in community non-profit. My experience has afforded me the opportunity to plan and implement direct service programs for teens, adults, and families including, parent support groups, counseling for runaway & homeless youth, and facilitating restorative justice circles.
In 2017, I opened LL Therapy Solutions LLC, a private practice for mental wellness that is dedicated to honoring the culture and providing a safe space that empowers individuals to heal. As an LMFT, I am trained as a systemic therapist, which means I can look at an individual, couple, or family and take into consideration each part of their being and how it impacts who they are in present day and who they want to be.
My speciality is helping clients experiencing the effects of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including depression, anxiety/panic, childhood trauma/abuse, low self-esteem, attachment challenges, and Black mental health.
Outside of the therapy office, I strongly believe in self-care. I enjoy reading and binge watching reality TV shows. I'm a self-described spa junkie; plant mom, and proud mother of three amazing humans. I love to laugh (laughter is medicine for the soul) and making others smile brings me absolute joy.
My Approach
My therapeutic approach is a blend of Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Client-Centered, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Narrative Therapy. I am passionate about helping my clients heal from past traumas, life experiences, and other patterns that interfere with their ability to form deep healthy relationships.
I work to provide a safe and confidential space for you to speak openly about your challenges, to find clarity, and gain insight to make informed choices for a healthy future. I believe in the art of storytelling (everyone has a story) and recreating narratives that may be stifling growth in certain areas of your life.
The Therapeutic Process
Participation in therapy can result in a number of benefits for you, including improving your interpersonal relationships and resolution of the specific concerns that led you to seek therapy. Remembering unpleasant events and becoming aware of feelings attached to those events can bring on strong feelings of anger, depression, anxiety, etc.
I may challenge some of your assumptions or perceptions or propose different ways of looking at, thinking about, or handling situations, which can cause you to feel upset, challenged, or disappointed. Change will sometimes be easy and swift, but more often it will be slow even frustrating.
There are no miracle cures. I cannot promise that your behavior or circumstance will change. I can promise to support you and do my very best to understand you and repeating patterns, as well as to help you clarify what it is that you want for yourself.
Education
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Master of Science degree in Marriage & Family Therapy, Edgewood College
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Master of Arts degree in Counseling, Higher Education, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
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Bachelor of Arts degree in English, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Professional Recognition's and Honors
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YWCA Madison Women of Distinction Leadership Award, 2018
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Madison Magazine 'M List', a who's who of individuals who are having an impact on local culture and diversity, 2016