I grew up in a small town as the only Deaf member in my family. I was fortunate that my parents picked up sign language and gave me access to language from birth. When I realized that not all Deaf individuals have that same opportunity, I decided to advocate for the importance of language access at an early age to minimize the impact of language deprivation.
After graduating from high school, I attended Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. There I earned my B.A. in psychology and my M.Ed. in clinical mental health counseling. I moved to New York City, where I worked for three years to enhance my skills in Deaf mental health. After the pandemic, I moved back to Texas, and I currently work with Dallas ISD as a Deaf Education counselor (LPC).
I love working with individuals from the Deaf community who have diverse backgrounds and experiences. I promote direct communication access so that clients are able to express themselves in their own way with someone who has shared experiences and empathy for their situations. The field of Deaf mental health is small, and I want to be able to provide a safe, welcoming space for anyone who is in need of services.
Outside of work, I spend my time with my partner and our three cats. I am a huge fan of Magic: The Gathering, board games, card games, movies, and the outdoors. I look forward to partnering with The Gracious Mind and serving the Deaf community here!!