ABOUT ME
I am a licensed professional counselor in Virginia and Maryland. I am an approved supervisor in Maryland, Board Certified Counselor (NCC), an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), and Board Certified Telemental-Health provider (BC-TMH). I earned my BA in Human Services and MA in Rehabilitation Counseling from the George Washington University. I completed a doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision from Virginia Tech. For fourteen years I maintained an independent clinical practice specializing in working with adults, children, and families connected to adoption and foster care. In addition, I have professional experience working in community mental health, pre natal care clinics, and with immigrant populations. I utilize attachment theory, family systems, and trauma informed approaches in clinical practice. Currently, I serve as a supervisor to others working towards full licensure.
I previously served in brick and mortar institutions as a Clinical Assistant Professor overseeing a clinical mental health counseling training clinic, a Director of Clinical Training, and Department Chair prior to my current role as Clinical Assistant Professor/Clinical Training Director at the Family Institute at Northwestern University.
My research interests examine how school and clinical mental health counselors work with persons adopted transracially and clinical supervision practices with BIPOC counselors. In addition, I have several peer-reviewed publications related to my research agenda. I am 2014 National Board of Certified Counselors Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) Fellow and served on the Minority Fellowship Program Advisory Council. In 2019 I was awarded the Excellence in Counselor Education and Supervision, Bridging the Gap Award from the National Board of Certified Counselors Foundation. In 2021 I received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors.
I am proud to be a steering committee member of the Society of Adoptee Professionals of Color in Adoption. I am a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and served as co chair for the By Laws Committee. I am also a division member of the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD), where I am active in the Latinx concerns group and recently was appointed co Vice President of the Native American Concerns group. I also hold memberships in the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) and the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC).
EDUCATION
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Transracial Adoption Practices
Clinical Mental Health and School Counselor Practices, Experiences of Colombian Adopted persons
BIPOC Counselor Training
Clinical training and supervision practices with BIPOC counselors
2011 - 2015
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and University
PhD, Counselor Education and Supervision
1995-1997
The George Washington University
MA Ed, Rehabilitation Counseling
1991-1995
The George Washington University
BA, Human Services
AWARDS
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2021- Outstanding Leadership Award, International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors
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2019 - Excellence in Counselor Education and Supervision, Bridging the Gap Award, National Board of Certified Counselors Foundation
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2018 - Excellence in Multicultural Teaching, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
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2016 - Professional Development Award, National Board of Certified Counselors
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2014 - Minority Fellowship Program Doctoral Award, National Board of Certified Counselors Foundation
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2013-2014 - Outstanding Counselor Education and Supervision Student, Virginia Tech
VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
I believe in giving back to the community as a form of self-care. I am proud to serve two community groups.
Arlington Community Corps (ACC)
Serve as ACC Arlington Food Assistance Center Coordinator
Serve as pro bono Licensed Professional Counselor for Spanish-speaking clients using telemental health.