I have been a substance abuse counselor since 2000. My career started at the Milestone Foundation Long Term Residential Treatment Facility in Old Orchard Beach where I worked from 2000 until 2007. In 2007 I started working as an outpatient counselor under my own license and was affiliated with a company by the name of Food Addiction Chemical Dependency Consultants in Windham. I stayed with FACDC for 7 years until 2014 when I opened my own office in Windham as a Sweetser Affiliate. After 4 years with Sweetser I decided to join the team at Health Affiliates Maine in 2018. I have been very happy with my affiliation with HAM as they are dedicated and devoted to enhancing the well-being of the people in Maine. I have managed to build a strong client base in the Lakes Region Area where I have worked with clients since 2007. I feel very fortunate to be able to assist clients in their endeavor to stop using alcohol and drugs and develop healthier coping skills. I have been clean and sober myself since February of 1991. I feel that the fact that I am in recovery is an asset in helping others who struggle with addiction. My clients seem to appreciate the fact that I have had my own struggles in the past and have moved forward in a positive direction.

I have worked with clients from many different backgrounds over the years. I currently work with men, women and adolescents who struggle with substance abuse. I have worked in conjunction with several school systems in the Lakes Region Area, as well as with the Adult and Juvenile Probation Department. Many of my clients contact me directly because they are tired of the destruction and chaos that addiction has caused in their lives. I also work with people that are not addicts themselves but have family or friends that struggle with addictions. It can be very challenging for loved ones to try and be supportive while also being assertive and exercising boundaries.

I utilize a variety of therapies while treating my clients. These include Strengths Based Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. I provide a safe, therapeutic environment and work very hard to assist my clients in meeting their goals. Recovering from addiction is a process  and I realize my clients need a positive environment and plenty of encouragement.

Modalities/Therapeutic Tools Used: Strengths Based Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, CBT, Motivational interviewing, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. 

Areas of Expertise: My areas of expertise include working with adolescents and adults to achieve abstinence from alcohol and drugs and develop healthy coping skills in the process. I have been able to help many individuals who struggle with low self esteem and others who need help with anger management. 

Disorders Treated: Substance Abuse, Grief and Loss/Bereavement, Anger management, Low self-esteem.