Background: 41 years experience studying and working with children and people, (28 of which were prior to obtaining a college education and the following degrees)  BS in Psychology, MA in Counseling, Ph.D. in Clinical Christian Counseling.  Volunteer in Private and public agency mental health services. 13 years in own independent practice.                    Published author of articles, book, and booklets.  Topics were: Christian Spiritual development, recovery from trauma, "how-to", a children's book, and healthy family living. Major Influences:  A country life full of hard work, surrounded by beauty and creation.  Parents who taught creativity in life, critical thinking skills, and independence.  Health problems brought out a need to believe in, learn from, and hold on to something greater than myself and my family. Creativity provided a way to express myself, release frustrations and cope with difficulties in life.  Motivation/s behind my writing and creativity: I healed, found improved health.  People loose and/or are robbed of hope, faith, independence, creativity, personal responsibility, and peace each and everyday. Individuals who knew my story, my successes and failures, my strengths and weaknesses continually encouraged me to share my skills, knowledge, talent, and faith in myself and others. I wanted to help people find themselves, expecially hope and peace in themselves, to overcome their losses-so I became a counselor and consultant and later an author.  Art has always been a way to express myself.  My art has also tugged and drawn out emotional expressions in others.      

I received a BS in Psychology, an MA in Counseling, and a Ph.D. in Christian Counseling, I received certifications in marriage, child & adolescent, and family therapies, as well as in Clinical supervision.

I presented to professional audiences on meditation, gender issues, and recovery from Multiple Personality Disorder as well as speaking before cancer survivor and grief groups.

I painted the theme painting for a spiritual conference held in 2006.