About
The therapeutic journey starts with stopping and observing.
We’ve wandered aimlessly. It is time to stand still and observe. To find ourselves on our journey, we need to pause to learn exactly where we are.
To Know Thyself we develop insight into our behaviors, thinking patterns, emotional intelligence, personal values, and relational attachments. We clear away the weeds smothering our authentic selves, allowing the seed to take root and grow.
Once we get a semblance of where we are, we learn to accept our position and surroundings without added judgment. Navigating the journey is hard enough as it is, let alone with the added challenge of using darkened lenses.
We decide where we want to go with clear eyes that allow us to see the hopeful light of the path forward.
Transforming our inner world changes our outer world.
Our journey together is transformative, allowing us to observe actions, affects, thoughts, beliefs, and relationship patterns nonjudgmentally through learning new skills, strategies, and habits.
We learn to notice the obstacles and pratfalls that have tripped us up before, so we can avoid them in the future. We grant compassion and patience to ourselves as we kindly embrace our journey of growth and healing.
As our authentic inner journey progresses, it manifests into our outer world. Fidelity to others requires first fidelity to Self. Our actions begin to match our examined and clarified beliefs, thoughts, and feelings, cultivating authentic integrity. Relationships become healthier as we establish and maintain boundaries, recognize what boosts our well-being, and change what hinders our health.
From the inside out, we become our whole Self and bring about goodness in the world we inhabit.
“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.”
– Carl Gustav Jung
“Finding yourself is one of the most fundamental endeavors of life.”
– Nietzsche
About Me
What is the mission?
How does the practice sustain our mission? Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.” Therefore, we want to change the world by assisting each person to become all of themselves.
Tree of Life Counseling frames its mission around the belief in the validity of Emerson’s statement. Said slightly differently, from a single seed, entire forests can grow. The person who digs their roots into the depths of their soul grows the trunk of authenticity, courage, integrity, and conviction of their Self.
From the flourishing trunk spreads broad branches to their life, and the fruits of their labor bring forth new seeds. As the individual flourishes, the lives of those around them flourish. From a single seed grows a mighty tree that plants more seeds, bringing forth more trees. Soon the forest is full of majesty and rich in life.
The world gets better by individuals becoming whole through courageously investigating their psyches, accepting all the parts and pieces of themselves, and manifesting those parts with integrity and virtue into their lives. We strive to accomplish that, and our results are a testimony. We collaborate with the natural growth of the person with psychological approaches backed up by evidence-based research.
I know the journey.
GNOTHI SEAUTON – Greek for Know Thyself
“Into the woods I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.”
– John Muir
I received my Master of Arts in Counseling from Lincoln Christian University in 2015 and my Bachelor of Science from Illinois State University in 2008.
My journey has taken me through intellectual/developmental disability care, homelessness care, significant mental health care, maximum security prison care, restorative justice care, and catastrophic medical care.
In my personal time…
I enjoy getting lost in reading and writing. When outdoors, you can find me hiking and taking nature photography.
For those in Telehealth Therapy, you will encounter Milo and Niko. These curious creamsicle cats have learned that sitting in on our sessions is prime time for idle petting and lounging. I have trained both cats to observe the highest standards of privacy, so you can be sure they will not divulge any confidential information disclosed in our sessions.