I grew up in a small town near the capital of New York. As a creative little girl, I was drawn to music – playing music, dancing to music, and creating music. This led to learning the trumpet which in turn led to an audition for the United States Marine Corps. I served in the United States Marine Corps, playing the soprano bugle in “The Commandant’s Own”, United Stated Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps, for four years. This time in the military allowed me to travel the country, meeting and performing for a wide variety of people. This experience also provided me with a unique perspective of how minds and emotions can be shaped. While serving in the Marine Corps, I studied Psychology, leading to a Bachelor’s Degree.

After fulfilling a 4-year contract with the Marine Corps, I left the military and found myself in a tremendous period of transition that all veterans speak of, but cannot be fully understood unless personally experienced. Lasting for years, I ultimately turned to my degree in Psychology to find a career path. After learning that a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology only opens doors to entry-level positions in the field, I used my G.I. Bill benefits to return to college. I went to college, in person for the first time, and earned a Graduate degree in Community Mental Health Counseling from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York. Since the first day of that program, through present time, I have unwaveringly known that this was field of work I belonged in.​

So, in conclusion -- I grew up shy, drawn out of myself through dance. Always feeling different from others, I went through many years of life with countless insecurities. Different experiences brought out confidences in different areas. Only through my education and experience, have I learned that confidence in ones’ abilities is different than confidence in ones’ self. As an adult, and professional, I would describe myself as goal-oriented, realistic, empathetic, and playful. I am a spiritual person without a specific religious practice. I am growing in my own life and profession each and every day. I believe I practice what I preach.