About Me
If you want to know more about me outside of work, this is the best place to start!
Read below to learn about my journey so far, my values & motivations, and my personal interests.
Why Counseling?
My fascination with psychology and helping people began when I was about 4 years old, though back then, I just knew I didn't like seeing people upset and had this strong desire to make things better. I couldn't have articulated it as "mental health advocacy," but that little spark was definitely there!
That passion has only grown stronger over the years. Every new coping mechanism I discover, every counseling technique I read about, every resource I uncover feels like adding another tool to my helping-people toolkit. When I finally took my first Psychology course in high school, it just felt right.
College brought its own adventure. I started at East Carolina University as a Biochemistry major, switched to Biology after my first semester (when I was thrown into Calculus 2), and then finally landed where my heart had been all along: Psychology. (Classic case of taking the scenic route to get where you were meant to be!) I'll admit, I was initially hesitant about the major because I worried about my ability to support people without absorbing all their struggles myself. But after lots of reflection, research, and countless conversations with counselors, professors, and staff at NCCU and other Counseling departments, I know I'm going to be an incredible counselor.
Now I'm just excited to dive in and get started!
The picture of the beach doesn’t relate, but I’ve lived all over North Carolina and I love this spot in Atlantic Beach, so I felt it was appropriate.
My Values and Motivations
My motivation comes from my people and my dog—they're all important contributors to my success and well-being.
Pictured from left to right, you can see my boyfriend, dad, brother, mom, and my dog. These are the people (and dog) who have been my biggest cheerleaders, my reality checks when I need them, and my safe harbor when life gets overwhelming. They've celebrated every small victory with me, picked me up during the tough moments, and believed in my dreams even when I wasn't sure I believed in them myself.
Each of them brings something unique to my support system. My family has shown me what unconditional love looks like and taught me that asking for help isn't weakness—it's wisdom. My boyfriend has been my study buddy, my voice of reason, and my biggest encourager as I've navigated this journey toward becoming a counselor. And my dog? Well, she's taught me that sometimes the best therapy is a warm snuggle and being fully present in the moment.
These relationships have shaped not just who I am, but who I want to be as a counselor. They've shown me the power of showing up for people, of listening without judgment, and of creating space where people feel truly seen and valued.
Some of my strongest values are honesty, empathy, loyalty, and accountability—values that have been modeled for me by the people I love most. I strive every day to uphold these principles because I've experienced firsthand how transformative it is when someone offers you genuine empathy, stays loyal through your messiest moments, holds you accountable with kindness, and is honest enough to tell you what you need to hear. These aren't just professional values I want to bring to counseling; they're the foundation of how I try to move through the world every single day.