Who I Am

I am an Afghanistan and Iraq combat veteran who served in the United States Army for roughly 10 years. My journey of becoming a counselor started when I was a client and needed mental health counseling after I honorably left the Army. Once I enrolled in college, I realized I wanted to help people. I could make an impact like the counselors had made on me. So, I started working on that path educationally. In 2017, I began working as a Certified Mental Health Aide and office manager at VEMB Psychotherapy Services under Dr. Benabdallah's supervision to gain field experience. I have benefited from learning the therapeutic process from the ground up. I later became a Behavioral Health Case Manager. In that role, I assisted people in navigating the various systems available so that they could get resources to help them through their life's struggles.

I became a Licensed Professional Counselor shortly after working on my master's degree at Langston University and finishing at the University of Oklahoma. I continued working for VEMB because of this agency's community impact in Oklahoma City and the metro area. I truly appreciate how my clinical contributions are recognized and valued by both clients and colleagues. It means a lot to me to be able to support and make a positive impact on their lives. My education includes an Associate's degree in Psychology, an Associate's degree in Sociology, a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology, and a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I am a psychology (PsyD) doctoral candidate (ABD, all but dissertation) with an emphasis on Criminology and Justice Studies from the University of Arizona Global Campus. What I love about being a therapist is working with people using a social justice mental health approach. Most importantly, I enjoy working with clients because we are all trying to figure out our place and sometimes need help.

We go to physicians when we need medical help. We go to feelings doctors ( therapists) when we need behavioral and emotional help. My theoretical background is in cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy. Still, I also use components of other theories that I can apply to sessions to help. My therapeutic strategy involves identifying the problem, creating a pragmatic solution to the problem, and establishing realistic steps toward the identified goal. Then, reinforce what has worked to produce the desired outcomes. My philosophical approach to life and therapy emphasizes that all people have the birthright to be treated with dignity and respect and deserve to be loved and be Love.. We all may make mistakes, but we deserve the opportunity to correct those mistakes and become improved and resilient people. I engage clients, from children to older adults, who are experiencing various stressors in treatment. I have also worked extensively with clients who have had to go through our justice system and have helped people through their psychosocial issues. Most importantly, as a psychotherapist, I have helped people tap into their inner strength and resiliency to become better human beings.