pronouns: He/Him/His
(Native American Sign Language Speaker)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (L.C.S.W.)- State of Florida & Texas
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (L.I.C.S.W.)- State of Alabama
Certified PreK-12 School Social Worker- State of Florida & New Jersey
Academy of Certified Social Workers (A.C.S.W.)
Board Certified Diplomate (B.C.D.) in Clinical Social Work
Registered Play Therapist
Certification in Professional Development Series (C.P.S.) in Emergency Management
Professional Continuity Practitioner, Level I
Hello, and welcome to my page. I am excited you have chosen to take the next step in your journey to healing and transformation! I am a Licensed Psychotherapist serving clients in the State of Alabama, Florida, and Texas.
I was born in sunny Southern California and raised in the Central Valley of California. Growing up, I had a younger sibling diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, which is why I am a therapist today. After high school, I attended Rutgers University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with Honors in Urban Studies with a minor in Art History in 2006. After my undergraduate, I pursued my Masters of Social Work (M.S.W.) from the University of Pennsylvania. While in my M.S.W. program, I trained in School Social Work, Social Work Practice with At-Risk Youth and Developmental Disabilities.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (L.C.S.W) in L.C.S.W. Florida & Texas. I am an Member, Academy of Certified Social Workers (A.C.S.W.) member. I am also a Certified PreK-12 School Social Worker (C.S.S.W.) in Florida & New Jersey. As a trained school social worker, I have extensive knowledge of Special Education, 504 Plans, Behavioral Plans, & I.E.P.s.
I bring over 14 years of clinical experience with children and families, working with well-known agencies, private practices, and schools in Arizona, California, Florida, Maryland, and New Jersey. In addition, I am an accomplished and published scholar in Youth Leadership, Civic Engagement, and Special Education. I am considered a Subject Matter Expert in Employment for youth with disabilities, civic engagement, and Service Learning at the collegiate and federal levels.
In 2012, I returned to school and earned my Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) from the University of Southern California, and I am a proud member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. In 2017, I earned my third graduate degree, a Master of Science (M.S.) in Homeland Security, focusing on Emergency Management and Public Health, from Colorado Technical University. Over my 14-year career, I have received specialized training as a social worker in adoptions, art therapy, child welfare, LGBTQ+, Life Coaching, play therapy, and Trauma.
I am a Registered Play Therapist (R.P.T.) through the Association for Play Therapy. As a play therapist, I help children through the language of play heal, work on emotional regulation, process trauma, and develop emotional resilience.
At this time, I hold Certification as a Master Life Coach (C.M.L.C.), a Master Transformation Life Coach, a Master Growth Mindset Life Coach & a Master Spiritual Life Coach through Transformation Academy, Certification as a Clinical Trauma Professional (C.C.T.P.) through the International Association of Trauma Professionals and, Certification as a Veteran Ready Healthcare Professional (C.V.R.H.C.P.) through the PsychArmor Institute and Certification as a Clinical Trauma Specialist with Families (C.C.T.S-F.) through the Arizona Trauma Institute.
Lastly, I also hold my Certification in Professional Development Series in Emergency Management and as a Professional Continuity Practitioner through F.E.M.A. Emergency Management Institute. Additionally, in expanding my training in Trauma and continuing to find new and innovative approaches to helping my clients, I completed specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Trauma in Schools (C.B.I.T.S.).
Outside of the social work and mental health field, I have worked as an organizational consultant serving communities, businesses, and non-profits. I also hold multiple certifications and advanced emergency management, Disaster Preparedness, and Psychological First Aid training. My diverse background and experience allow me to provide counseling, life coaching, and consulting for Children, Adolescents, Young adults, families, and Adults. I work with clients in the following areas, including Autism, ADD/ADHD, Assessments, Developmental & Intellectual Disabilities, O.C.D., Men’s Issues, Single Fathers, Behavioral challenges/concerns, Disaster Counseling, and Case Management, Mood Disorders, School-Based Problems, P.T.S.D., Trauma, C.B.T., Psychoeducation, Individualized Educational Plans (I.E.P.s), Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Play Therapy, Art Therapy, Sand-Tray Therapy, school-based interventions, siblings of individuals with disabilities, and children from military families. As a life coach, I can help those looking to tackle spirituality, post-secondary, and career coaching challenges.
As a mental health therapist, I have specialized in LGBTQ+ therapy and community training, trauma, P.T.S.D., and developmental/intellectual disabilities. I am available to provide consultation and assessments upon request. As a trained LGBTQ+ therapist, I work with clients who struggle with coming out, gender identity/fluidity, and sexual orientation and provide LGBTQ+ Couples therapy. I am one of several therapists in the Northeast region who consults on LGBTQ+ issues, provides counseling to the community, and gives back as an adjunct professor teaching new social workers about LGBTQ+ Social Work Practice. My approach to mental health treatment is client-centered and strength-based. Every client can transform, gain insight, and change their life situation. I drive my client through my passion for achieving their goals. I am a driven and dedicated therapist who works closely with families in therapeutic processes.
American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress
American Board of Clinical Social Work
American Psychological Association
Association for Play Therapy
International Obsessives Compulsive Disorder Foundation
Medical Library Association
National Association of Social Work
National Gay Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society
Rutgers University Alumni Association
Texas Society for Clinical Social Work
University of Pennsylvania Alumni Association
University of Southern California Alumni Association
VonOstir Innovation Services, L.L.C.
Serving clients in Alabama & Florida
Copyright © 2023 VonOstir Innovation Services, L.L.C.- All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy
Sign Up Today to receive a free copy of Digital Magazine.