About Me
I have lived in Dallas since I was three years old; I grew up in Richardson, a suburb of Dallas. Our family moved here from Ft. Thomas, Kentucky – my parents, two older brothers and an older sister. In the early 1970’s I moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas. I got a bit side tracked and eventually came back to Dallas to finish my degree at Texas Woman’s University .While working as a social worker in Austin I met a young man with Mental Retardation who impressed me very much. I decided to get a Bachelor’s degree in special education and began working with children with developmental disabilities, but felt something was missing. I then began working with adolescents with emotional disturbances. They were angry and depressed and very likable.
I felt I had found my place in this world. I loved these kids and the work. It turned out I was counseling my students as much as teaching them academics so I went back to school to get a Master of Science degree in counseling and guidance and was soon hired to work as a personal – social counselor in Highland Park ISD in 1989. I loved this work and was actually very good at counseling adolescents and their parents. I became licensed as a counselor in the state of Texas in 1992. With my LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) license I was able to start a part-time private practice, seeing adults along with adolescents. I retired from public education work in 2005. I continue to counsel in a private practice on a full time basis and I am very passionate about my life work. You can read more about my work by going to “Services Offered”.
On a more personal note… I currently live in the White Rock Lake area in east Dallas. I love the trees, wildlife, the many bikers, joggers and dog walkers in the area. I am married to a wonderful, supportive man named Jerry. Jerry, our dog and I love walking along the lake or visiting everyone and their dogs in our neighborhood. We love to travel; we were married in Italy and we travel there often. I have no children other than the hundreds I’ve taught and counseled throughout the years along with nine wonderful godchildren.
I have two brothers and a sister. We are a close family. My oldest brother, Fred, has retired to Tucson Arizona with his wife Joan. My other brother, Don, is a Monsignor for the Catholic Diocese of Dallas. He is now retired and enjoying running a non-profit organization called “Pastoral Reflections Institute”. He holds workshops, retreats and has a radio program aired here in Dallas on WRR Sunday mornings at 10:00. My sister, Kathy, lives here in Dallas and is also in the helping profession. She has worked many years as a cardio and neuro ICU nurse in Dallas and continues to work in her calling as a nurse. She is very valuable to her patients.