My Story:

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Growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, southern living meant Saturdays in the fall were for one thing only: football. Despite my dream of becoming UGA’s first female QB1 falling through, I continued to immerse myself in athletics through track and field, lacrosse, and, eventually, as a strength coach. As an athlete, I faced severe performance anxiety, earning starting positions based on my performance in practices, but quickly falling apart in game settings. Once I got to college, and feeling like I would never overcome this perpetual anxiety and frustration, I decided to hang up my cleats for good. It wasn’t long before this decision came back to haunt me. 

 

Seeking to fill the sport-shaped hole in my life, I had the epiphany to combine my interest in psychology with my passion for athletics. I attended the University of Georgia, where I majored in Psychology and added a minor in Exercise and Sport Science. Wanting to further my involvement in fitness and to help others reach their health goals, I received my personal training certification from the International Sports Sciences Association in 2015. Shortly after, I began an internship at a strength and conditioning facility working with talented and driven athletes of all levels. I was brought on as an assistant strength and conditioning coach and developed relationships with these phenomenal athletes over several years. During this time, I also continued my education and received a master’s degree from Georgia Southern University in Kinesiology, Sport and Exercise Psychology Emphasis, in 2019. It was here that I developed a deeper understanding of the performance anxiety that had shadowed my athletic career, as well as burnout, injury rehabilitation, and other stressors so prevalent in sport, today.

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In 2021, I earned a master's degree in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I am now a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor from the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors, and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. My counseling philosophy blends concepts and theories of person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing to help my clients work towards holistic wellness. By fostering a culture of acceptance, empowerment, and empathy, I aim to develop a therapeutic counseling partnership with my clients in which they have the tools, security, and freedom to explore and adjust to the turbulence of the human, and athlete, experience.