I view my life as a journey. I am traveling toward a destination that has endless possibilities and forks and pit stops and mine fields along the way. I welcome the journey although I do not always enjoy the ride!
I entered the helping profession in 1989 as a substance abuse technician and worked in a social detox and then a residential treatment program for women and children. From 1991 to 2001 I served as a volunteer counselor for the Department of Corrections for Women at a State Prison and County Jail. These early professional experiences shaped my educational journey and my views about mental health treatment, dual diagnosis and community psychology. Over the years I have been and continue to be concerned about the ways in which we treat those we view as marginalized in our society. In treatment people may be told they are expected not to succeed, in prison they may be told they are expected to return – I find these statements unacceptable. I serve the God of all Hope and in Him I know that nothing, no situation, no person, no past is hopeless or impossible to redeem.
I love being at Regent and having the opportunity to work with students, clients, faculty, colleagues, friends and others. I am challenged to think, evaluate, grow and understand the world around me and the people I serve every day. I thank God for His presence in my life and His Truth and direction in leading me here and directing my journey and trust that He will continue to do that through all that is yet to come my way. |
