Now

Pursuing Master of Social Work Degree
Currently, I am taking classes at the University of North Alabama to earn a MSW in Social Work. My anticipated graduation date is December 2027. 

Serving at the UAB Employee Assistance and Counseling Center
Currently, my day job includes working at the UAB Employee Assistance and Counseling Center as the Office Services Specialist III. In this role, I coordinate client scheduling, manage departmental communications, support program promotion, triage urgent mental-health situation, and other clerical tasks.

Facilitating Darkness to Light Child Abuse Prevention Trainings
I regularly facilitate trainings for people in the realm of child abuse awareness and prevention through Darkness to Light. My next training is on Saturday, June 27th at 11:00 AM (CST). I will be leading a training called From Bystander to Upstander. To register, click here.

Addressing Compassion Fatigue

For anyone working in a helping profession, you likely are familiar with compassion fatigue. This idea that we may begin telling ourselves, "here we go again..." or "why am I so irritated?". Honestly, it's important for me in my current phase of life because early career professionals are most at-risk for experiencing compassion fatigue. I am learning that when compassion fatigue comes knocking on the door, it's time for me to evaluate what has shifted in my over the last 6 months, what supervision and consultation opportunities are available, what boundaries am I able to establish, and how can I reset in between sessions? A question I am pondering right now - What would realistic sustainability look like for you?

Currently, I am reading the following:

• Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode--and into a Life of Connection and Joy by Aundi Kolber, LPC

• The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook―What Traumatized Children Can Teach Us About Loss, Love, and Healing by Bruce Perry, MD, PhD and Maia Szalavitz

Currently, I am listening to the following podcasts:

• Be Known: The Podcast with Kerrah Fabacher, LPC-S

• Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley Barton

Right now, I am exploring future group therapy concepts for the practice I will be interning at in August. Some ideas that I have been exploring include a transitions group for college students, a look into emotionally healthy spirituality, and a process group for caregivers.

One question I am currently asking and exploring is this: How can faith communities better support those experiencing trauma or adverse effects of trauma? If you have thoughts on this, I'd love to hear your perspective. Please contact me by clicking here.

Outside of the office, I can be found

• Spending time with friends

• Exploring parts of Birmingham, AL I've never been

• Reading/Studying

• Attending workshops or conferences

• Finding good coffee shops

"There are few things as fulfilling as that sense of being seen and understood." ~ David Brooks, How to Know A Person