Love is not just a passion spark between two people; there is infinite difference between falling in love and standing in love. Rather, love is a way of being, a “giving to,” not a ‘falling for”; a mode of relating at large, not an act limited to a single person.
– Irvin D. Yalom
I remember several moments in graduate school when professors would discuss how change occurs in an individual or family system. As I sat through those classes, I came to realize that change happens within us only when we experience great pain or great love. All too often the world is a source of great pain, I wanted my practice to be the source of great love. Could it be possible that I could love people for a living? That question has become the heartbeat of my work.
I went through a period of significant loss several years ago, where the pain seemed unbearable. I remember the deep shredding of old patterns and old ideas. I couldn’t help but see others and more importantly, myself, in dramatically different ways. Pain had changed me.
Clients often come to my office because they are in pain. I realize that if left unattended, the pain alone would force change in many individuals and families. What I have discovered in my own life and practice is the invaluable gift of another person’s love during these times. That love can be the difference between shame and empowerment, bitterness and hope, emptiness and worthiness.
So many of us are used to focusing on our inadequacies and making decisions from a place of fear, rather than from a place of strength. We need to learn the definition of our own worth. Just as I am still learning that lesson, I want my clients to feel their individual strength, resilience and courage from the moment they reach out to me. I want them to realize their unique importance in their family, in their careers, and even in my office. Feeling worthy of love is the baseline of healthiness and certainly a continuous journey for most of us. I make a conscious effort to infuse my entire practice with that principle in mind.
As your therapist, my promise to you is simple. I will listen and offer new perspectives. I will be patient and also stay out of the judging role. I will work hard to help you view the valley as a place of growth. I will strive to convey a message of hope through empathy and understanding and use my own experience and valuable education to spotlight recurring patterns that may be holding you back.
I am fortunate to help teens navigate their high school experience through our individual sessions, group work, and speaking to local schools. I love to hear women find their voice, whether it be in my office alone, with a family member, or in their career. I experience couples struggling to learn how to be connected while staying independent. I value sitting with men as they practice vulnerability and authenticity. And I join with parents on the delicate balance between giving freedom and responsibility to their children.
I know all too well the hardships of divorce and raising children, remarriage, blending families, and the strain of redefining the family system as we grow up. I want my practice to be a warm place for this community to go for real-life concerns, to gain encouragement and awareness where we each need it most.
The one thing you can count on in life is that it is constantly in motion..it changes. Having a therapist who is on your “team” is priceless. I would certainly consider it a privilege to be a part of your growth process.
Contact my office today to determine if I would be a good fit for your “life team.”
Welcome! Glad you’re here..
My Background
I was a resident assistant to 75 girls in undergrad and I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Education with a minor in Psychology and English from Liberty University in 1999. I taught for a few years in both elementary and middle school settings and then completed my Masters of Science in Counseling from Southern Methodist University where I specialized in working with individuals, couples, and families. I have extensive experience working within the mental health community facilitating groups, conducting assessments, counseling individuals, and performing crisis intervention. I hold an active License in Professional Counseling and am also a board-approved Counselor Supervisor for the state of Texas.
Additionally, I am honored to serve on the Advisory Board for SMU’s Digital Accelerator Program and am a graduate of Leadership North Texas and Leadership Richardson. I have received training in Collaborative Law and am an active member of Collaborative Divorce Texas and Collaborative Law Dallas. I am also a member of the Texas Counseling Association, Texas Association of Marriage and Family Counselors, Texas Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, Texas Counselors for Social Justice, and Dallas Metro Counseling Association. In 2014, I was named an Outstanding Women of Today Honoree for Small Business by Altrusa Richardson. In 2017, I became a candidate for a seat on the Richardson City Council and started a non-profit organization, Together Richardson, which aims to collaborate with many local charities and neighborhoods by working to raise awareness about community needs and solve problems together in a non-partisan way. In 2018, I acquired Richardson Living Magazine, a local publication that tells the stories of the diverse city of Richardson, Tx.
As the amount of home time increases, so do family conflicts. The very idea that you may not be able to leave your home for weeks or months can be extremely stressful and that stress can come out in hurtful ways. If you want to keep the peace in your home and avoid these potential conflicts, here are some timely tips you can use.
Love. Love is great. Teaching love, watching love, practicing love, believing love. These are all necessary to effective therapy. It is in misunderstood feelings that we teach love.
We are pleased to announce the addition of Courtney Strull, a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern supervised under Cory Montfort LPC-S, to our Plano office. She’s earned her Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and her Master’s degree in Counseling from Southern Methodist University.
