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Sunshine Counseling Incorporated
Sunshine Counseling Incorporated
Hello! Thank you for considering me as a guide to your mental health and wellness journey. I was born in South Bay, CA and while I've lived the majority of my life in Kentucky, I think the peaceful, sunshiny feel of the west coast beaches was born into my heart and mind, as I'm a natural optimist despite living through many life challenges and find it easy to see the good and beauty in others. When my parents brought me to Louisville, KY to help run my grandfather's farm focused business, I found myself growing up through simpler times, going to work with my parents when school wasn't in session and spending days sweeping the dusty feed mill, playing with the warehouse dog and enjoying swaying with my little sister on the swing that hung from the office covered porch. My grandfather passed away when I was 10 years old, but the maple trees he planted with my sister and I from just the simple helicopter seeds now stand tall in front of the old, dilapidated porch. Orders were typed up on typewriters and credit card payments weren't an option. During the holiday season, customers could expect to enjoy all they could take home in shelled peanuts, coconut bonbons and orange slices. It was a treat for my sister and I to enjoy a 6oz. bottled coke or a 5 cent gumball from the machines in the office. I remember observing my parents welcome everyone at the business and try hard to make the guys that worked the warehouse job always feel taken care of. It was tough, dirty work and the only thing that changed through the seasons was whether those boys were dealing with extreme heat or a very cold warehouse. I loved taking their lunch orders and running with my mom to pick up all of their meals. It was a special treat when they supervised us on the line and let us help operate the machine that sewed the giant thread through the feed bags after filling them. Some of the warehouse guys dealt with some really tough stuff and through it all, I remember witnessing my father and mother always making time and space to care for those guys. And, the kid in me remembers those guys being amazing. They hung out with me, played warehouse basketball with me, would hang the porch swing every time we asked, show off one of their new tattoos, pick me up from school if I was sick and my parents couldn't leave the office and the list goes on. Those same guys brought our family stories of jail time, housing insecurity, addiction, recovery and more, but what I remember the most is they were always supported, welcomed and despite challenges, my parents always offered perspective and understanding of just how hard those guys worked and how valued they were. My parents would sit and talk to customers for hours. No one was ever rushed out of the office and many stories and philosophical musings were shared in that old dusty warehouse office. Perhaps I didn't quite realize then, just how growing up in a feed mill would translate into my life as a social worker years later, but as I sit and share that part of my history it seems clear that many parts of my childhood led me to the path I'm on today. Helping others comes naturally. Setting boundaries is an invaluable skill I've developed and learned to teach others so balance in life is easier to achieve. As I grew up and ventured out on my own, I journeyed through school programs, marriage, the births of four amazing children, divorce, many health issues, finding my own way as a single mother, founding a business, a new chance at love and healthy commitment and coming into urgent custody of a precious baby boy and unexpectedly becoming a mom to now five amazing children, I've been able to combine my lived experiences with nearly 20 years of clinical practice in a way that helps support others and move them forward in life, empowering others to discover exactly what they need to take the best care of themselves and lead the life they want.
Hello! Thank you for considering me as a guide to your mental health and wellness journey. I was born in South Bay, CA and while I've lived the majority of my life in Kentucky, I think the peaceful, sunshiny feel of the west coast beaches was born into my heart and mind, as I'm a natural optimist despite living through many life challenges and find it easy to see the good and beauty in others. When my parents brought me to Louisville, KY to help run my grandfather's farm focused business, I found myself growing up through simpler times, going to work with my parents when school wasn't in session and spending days sweeping the dusty feed mill, playing with the warehouse dog and enjoying swaying with my little sister on the swing that hung from the office covered porch. My grandfather passed away when I was 10 years old, but the maple trees he planted with my sister and I from just the simple helicopter seeds now stand tall in front of the old, dilapidated porch. Orders were typed up on typewriters and credit card payments weren't an option. During the holiday season, customers could expect to enjoy all they could take home in shelled peanuts, coconut bonbons and orange slices. It was a treat for my sister and I to enjoy a 6oz. bottled coke or a 5 cent gumball from the machines in the office. I remember observing my parents welcome everyone at the business and try hard to make the guys that worked the warehouse job always feel taken care of. It was tough, dirty work and the only thing that changed through the seasons was whether those boys were dealing with extreme heat or a very cold warehouse. I loved taking their lunch orders and running with my mom to pick up all of their meals. It was a special treat when they supervised us on the line and let us help operate the machine that sewed the giant thread through the feed bags after filling them. Some of the warehouse guys dealt with some really tough stuff and through it all, I remember witnessing my father and mother always making time and space to care for those guys. And, the kid in me remembers those guys being amazing. They hung out with me, played warehouse basketball with me, would hang the porch swing every time we asked, show off one of their new tattoos, pick me up from school if I was sick and my parents couldn't leave the office and the list goes on. Those same guys brought our family stories of jail time, housing insecurity, addiction, recovery and more, but what I remember the most is they were always supported, welcomed and despite challenges, my parents always offered perspective and understanding of just how hard those guys worked and how valued they were. My parents would sit and talk to customers for hours. No one was ever rushed out of the office and many stories and philosophical musings were shared in that old dusty warehouse office. Perhaps I didn't quite realize then, just how growing up in a feed mill would translate into my life as a social worker years later, but as I sit and share that part of my history it seems clear that many parts of my childhood led me to the path I'm on today. Helping others comes naturally. Setting boundaries is an invaluable skill I've developed and learned to teach others so balance in life is easier to achieve. As I grew up and ventured out on my own, I journeyed through school programs, marriage, the births of four amazing children, divorce, many health issues, finding my own way as a single mother, founding a business, a new chance at love and healthy commitment and coming into urgent custody of a precious baby boy and unexpectedly becoming a mom to now five amazing children, I've been able to combine my lived experiences with nearly 20 years of clinical practice in a way that helps support others and move them forward in life, empowering others to discover exactly what they need to take the best care of themselves and lead the life they want.
Please remember to always take care of you...the health and wellness of our community starts with how we nurture ourselves. The kindness you extend to yourself will be felt in everything that surrounds you. You are amazing!
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