Open Doors Counseling Center

I was born in Pikeville, KY located in Eastern Kentucky, but I now live in Lexington, KY. I received my Masters of Education in Counseling and Human Development from Lindsey Wilson College in 2013. I have been working as a therapist since 2011. Since the beginning of my career, I have worked with children and adolescents who have emotional and behavioral issues. I have been specializing in providing trauma therapy to survivors of trauma since 2014. I am trained in evidence-based trauma therapy models, such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT Certified) and Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP). Additionally, I am a Certified Financial Therapist™ Professional (CFT™). I enjoy helping people work through issues related to identity, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, financial anxiety, and more so that they may improve their quality of life.

I have been faced with a variety of adversities throughout my life, many of which are directly, or indirectly, related to my identify as a gay man. I have experienced prejudice and discrimination in my personal life and professional life. I know what it has been like for me living completely in the closet, only allowing certain people to know about my identify at work, home, and in the community, and now being completely out to the point that I am recognized as a leader in Kentucky advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. One of my accomplishments is that I founded a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called the Big Sandy LGBT+ Safe Zone that serves LGBTQ+ people in Pike, Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, and Martin counties in Eastern Kentucky.

I also founded a counseling center known as Open Doors Counseling Center. The core values for ODCC are Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Excellence (PRIDE). I make serving LGBTQ+ people a priority in communities across Kentucky. I especially want to reach rural communities where a huge gap exists for being able to find and access LGBTQ+ affirming and competent services. LGBTQ+ allies, and other people, are welcome in our center, regardless of identity. Telehealth services are offered to bridge the gap for people who need or want virtual appointments.

I look forward to helping you work through your identity issues, trauma histories, mood and anxiety issues, and more. Please help make serving LGBTQ+ people, with their unique needs, a priority in Kentucky!

I became a psychiatric nurse practitioner with the goal of helping people in my LGBTQ+ community. I graduated from Northern Kentucky University and before that I practiced as an RN for over twenty years. I enjoy giving back to my community and look forward to helping the greater Lexington area. 

I am the Quality Assurance Director and a Therapist at Open Doors Counseling Center. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate. I am I have received my Master’s degree in Counseling and Human Services from Lindsey Wilson College. I am a member of the LGBTQ+ community and also have experience with polyamorous relationship structures. I hope to use my knowledge and experiences to assist others.

I would like to share a little about my background. I am married with one son. My family is from Eastern KY, but because my dad was in the Air Force, I grew up all over. However, when I was in middle school, he retired and we moved to Pikeville. After high school I joined the military, got married, and was stationed in Fort Stewart, GA. I realized early on that I did not want to make the military my career, so afterwards I returned to Pikeville.

I am a Marriage and Family Therapist Associate with undergraduate degrees in music and psychology obtained from Morehead State University, I hold a certificate in medical assistant studies from the US Career Institute. I received a Masters of Science in Psychology degree from Grand Canyon University and postgraduate Doctoral degrees that include Educational Specialist degree in Marriage and Family Counseling and Community Care and Counseling from Liberty University. Most recently I have enrolled in a post master’s certificate in mental health administration.

I am a trauma informed care provider certified by UT Health San Antonio, Department of Psychiatry and I am also a certified CBT practitioner by the Academy of Modern Applied Psychology. I have more than 8 years of counseling experience in behavioral health providing services such as individual therapy, group therapy, couples counseling, case management, and mental health evaluations and assessments. I specialize in the use of medical family therapy treatment models for individuals with chronic health conditions and the use of clinical diagnostic outcome assessments.

I have specialized postgraduate training in clinical assessments including the M-FAST (Miller Forensic Assessment Of Symptoms Test), the MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) and Vineland-3 (Functional Assessment). I am certified in mental health first aid and currently working towards MI motivational interviewing coach certification through WV-MI.

I am a member of the LGBTQIA+ population and I want to give back to the population and help to heal religious trauma within the community and help heal couples together within the clinical setting. In my free time, I enjoy playing the flute and piccolo in local community bands and orchestras. Along with spending time with my husband who is a nurse and our teenage son, dog, and two cats.

First, a little bit about me: I started out at the University of Kentucky and obtained my bachelors in Social Work in 2016, and from there attended Kent School at the University of Louisville to obtain my MSSW and certificate in LGBTQ+ Health. I obtained my CSW and am on track toward my LCSW. I have spent most of the past decade in advocacy and case management, from family reunification and preservation to foster care and adoption. I am a godmother to five wonderful children and a “fur mom” to an endless parade of rescue and foster animals, particularly those with special needs. In my free time I enjoy reading, hiking, rescuing/fostering animals, attending music and arts festivals, and social justice work. As an adoptee and domestic violence survivor, I am passionate about helping others going through similar journeys, but I am also passionate about many other causes and love to spend time and energy advocating and making change.

I believe in meeting clients where they are and collaborating with them to build the life they want to live. I have both personal and professional experience navigating the foster care and social welfare system and seek to be the support that I needed as a youth. I am familiar with multiple therapeutic modalities and prefer to take a holistic and individualized approach to the process. I believe in the healing power of laughter and play, art, nature, and animals and am always seeking to develop my expertise within those areas. Whether it is problem solving toward your goals and dreams or sitting down to talk through and process barriers, I am open to clients from all walks of life. I seek to be a fierce advocate for those needing justice and a warm home for those needing belonging.

I am looking forward to helping serve the community and build a brighter future for Kentuckians, one where our differences are not simply tolerated, but celebrated. We are all on this giant rock floating through space at the same time all together, and isn’t that wonderful?

I believe that healing begins with feeling truly seen, heard, and accepted for who you are. My approach to therapy is person-centered, which means I focus on you as the expert of your own life. I see my role as walking alongside you—offering support, encouragement, and perspective—while holding space for your unique story to unfold. I feel honored every time someone chooses to share their journey with me, and I never take that trust for granted. I work with people of all ages and welcome both individuals and couples into the therapy space. Some of the areas I’m especially passionate about include anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, church hurt, and LGBTQ+ experiences. Whether you’re working through a loss, navigating a transition, struggling with self-doubt, or simply wanting a safe place to process life’s challenges, I will meet you with warmth, compassion, and openness. What inspires me most about this work is witnessing the strength and resilience people carry within themselves, even in their hardest moments. I truly believe in the power of connection and the ability we each have to heal and grow. My goal is to create a space where you feel supported, empowered, and hopeful as you move toward the life you want to build. Outside of the therapy room, I value authenticity, curiosity, and kindness—the same qualities I hope to bring into every session. In my own life, I enjoy traveling, listening to music, playing video games, and trying out new board games with friends. At home, you’ll often find me cooking new recipes or relaxing with my two cats. These moments of joy and creativity remind me of the importance of balance and connection, and they help me bring my best self into the work I do with clients.

I am a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student from Eastern Kentucky University. I am interning at Open Doors Counseling Center, where I will be running counseling groups. As a counseling intern, I aim to create a safe and positive environment for all my clients. I believe that providing individuals with unconditional positive regard and respect are pillars to creating a trusting and productive therapeutic experience. I love learning through my clients and developing my worldview and different perspectives through them.

My current areas of interest in counseling are helping those experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, and I also have experience in couples work. I often utilize cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, emotionally focused therapy, and motivational interviewing with clients. I plan to use the skills I have developed while using these therapeutic approaches in my therapy groups.

I’m a graduate student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Eastern Kentucky University, and I earned my B.A. in Psychology from the University of Kentucky. I’m passionate about holding space for others by creating a safe, supportive environment where people feel truly heard as they work through life’s challenges.

Some of the areas I focus on include anxiety, depression, self-esteem, women’s issues, children, life transitions, and relationship concerns. My counseling style is client-centered, trauma-informed, and centered in authenticity and empathy. I believe the therapeutic relationship is the most important piece, and I draw from evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, while centering my work to each person’s unique emotional, cultural, and physical needs.

I truly believe healing happens when people feel empowered and seen. My goal is to walk alongside you as you build healthier coping strategies, increase self-awareness, and make changes always at your own pace.

Outside of counseling, I love reading, shopping, art, and spending time with friends and family. I try to soak up joy and be grateful for everyday moments.

I’m excited to be joining Open Doors Counseling as a counseling intern. I’m a counselor-in-training from Appalachia, and I love hiking and spending time outdoors. I’m passionate about helping clients explore their identities, build resilience, and find their voice. I’m really looking forward to learning and growing with the team here!

I am a powerhouse of passion, purpose, and performance. I seamlessly blend advocacy, empowerment, and entertainment to uplift and inspire.

With a heart for healing, I serve as a Targeted Case Manager and Peer Support Specialist with Open Doors Counseling Center, working to bridge the gap between spirituality and mental health. As a spiritual Omnist and leader at Ahava Center for Spiritual Living, I help others embrace their divine worth through faith, self-discovery, and radical self-love. I also used to serve on the board of the Lexington Pride Center and I work tirelessly to promote LGBTQIA+ awareness in Eastern Kentucky through the Pride of Morehead.

On stage, my drag artistry is an extension of my mission which blends storytelling, camp, and femme energy to spark joy, challenge norms, and create space for healing and self-expression. Whether I am commanding the spotlight, holding space for transformation, or advocating for my community, I prove that a crown isn’t just something you wear—it’s the love, courage, and wisdom you share.