I think we all have moments where we feel like we don't fit in. I decided to embrace that feeling. I help my clients promote and accept that feeling of otherness through the therapeutic process. After all, that has to be what makes us each unique. The principles of authenticity, self-love, self-care, self-acceptance, believing in oneself, operating from a place of integrity, and self-determination are important factors in healing and wellness.

I am a basketball mom so I am often in the gym watching my boys play. I also love traveling with my husband and having "girl time" with my daughter. I also love reading and true crime.

Setting time aside for myself. I believe that just like you get to know someone else by spending time with them, you get to know yourself by spending time with yourself. I usually spend an hour reading, praying, or meditating.

The Body Keeps Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk M.D. because I treat people with trauma often and I find this book very resourceful. I think in our profession you must continue to learn and educate yourself. Every time I read this I notice something new or something I've forgotten.

I spend time reading and memorizing affirmations to build up self-love. The subtle and not-so-subtle negative images and things that we have to battle in this world have to be fought off! Numerous verses in the Bible talk about the power of the tongue and the ability to speak life and death! From a psychological standpoint, we know how detrimental negative self-talk can be and how powerful positive self-talk can be. So I truly believe that words and affirmations are some of the strongest weapons we have against the many things we are up against in this world so we have to use them.