Who I am as a clinician...

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I graduated from the University of New England’s School of Social Work in 2009.  While I was working on my graduate degree and beginning my social work career I spent my first internship at the Center for Grieving Children.  My job there entailed working as a group facilitator with several different ages, ranging from 7 to 13. I was involved in several of the programs at the Center, regarding the variety of different forms and stages of grief, from terminal illness to bereavement or dealing with grief that’s complicated by trauma.  My work experience in the field of social services has mostly involved working with children and adolescents but at my last internship I gained more experience working with adults.   My second placement at Mercy Recovery Center entailed work with adults who have addictions.  Through that internship I was forced to challenge some of my own personal biases while also gaining experience working with adults using motivational interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, psychoeducation, and relapse prevention planning with individuals and groups.  While I was working towards my MSW, during the second and final year of my schooling, I also worked full-time as a case manager in an alternative response program through Spurwink.  This work entailed supporting children who were suffering from abuse and neglect that did not reach the level of severity for state involvement.  Though this work was not clinical, I learned a lot about different forms of culture, both family and larger societal forms, as well as how to engage and build a positive rapport with difficult or resistant clients and/or families.  Lastly, I think one of the most valuable skills I learned while in this role was how to maintain a healthy life balance while juggling multiple roles.  After graduating I worked as a generalist for a residential school where I saw a large variety of disabilities in children and learned a great deal about crisis management as well as behavioral modification techniques for a variety of clients ranging from 11-21.  I eventually moved back to my hometown for a few years, where I worked at several different agencies doing outpatient therapy with all age ranges, HCT services with children and families, and Day Treatment services within schools.  I have worked in a supervisory role as a Clinical Coordinator, and spent the years of 2017 through 2021 working as a clinician at the New England Eating Disorder Program in Saco, Maine.  I opened my private practice in the beginning of 2018, as part-time work, which has since grown to be my primary professional focus. 

I look forward to potentially getting to know you in the future.