Andrea specializes in three main areas—behavior difficulties, parenting and trauma.

 

Andrea began to find her niche during her master’s internship. She completed her internship at Safe Path, a Child Advocacy Center, located in Marietta, GA, just outside of Atlanta. She provided play and individual therapy to children who had been sexually, physically, and/or emotionally abused and to their non-offending caregivers. After graduating, Andrea continued working with trauma and abuse in the Atlanta area. Andrea sought out much continued education in this area so she could assist with a broad array of trauma related issues. She is forensically knowledgeable, and often assesses to see whether or not a child has been sexually abused. Andrea works with many children who are exhibiting sexual behavior problems whether or not those behaviors are related to abuse. Andrea may work with children who would be classified in the profession as “sexually reactive,” “sexually preoccupied,” and/or “sexually aggressive.”

 

After several years of helping children affected by trauma, Andrea realized she was helping just as much with other behavior issues, whether related or unrelated to the abuse. Because Andrea’s counseling style is embedded in Adlerian Theory, she found it a natural transition to begin assisting children and families with most all behavior difficulties.

 

Andrea opened her own private practice in 2009 in Roswell, GA, just outside of Atlanta. She maintained extensive evening and weekend hours in order to accommodate the need for her specialized and sought-after services. Oftentimes Andrea’s caseload consisted of children, parents, and families that could not find help elsewhere because they were considered “too difficult.” There are many reasons and manifestations for behavior difficulties. Sometimes children are oppositional & it is purposeful. Sometimes they really want to do well, but their emotional state or lack of ability to regulate themselves result in unmanageable behaviors (internally &/or externally).

 

School counselors sought Andrea’s services for many reasons—academic anxiety &/or learning disabilities interfering with academic & social success, refusing to go to school, do classwork, speak, follow expected social rules, being disruptive, exhibiting attention issues, or hurting other children. Some kids were on the verge of or had already lost enrollment in their academic program. Andrea utilizes a systemic approach in order to help & teach the child’s support system & change agents—parents, teachers, school counselors, & administration. School observations & treatment team consultations are often completed, and behavior modification plans are often developed & necessary in order to create change.

 

Guardian Ad Litems & Attorneys often sought Andrea’s services because of her reputation for being fair & balanced, viewing things systemically, being the child’s advocate without taking sides in the midst of parental discord, and working with both parents in order to achieve a healthier family system.

 

Parents often sought Andrea’s services because of her hands-on approach in working with the family. She enlists parents to help ensure behavior changes are lasting. When working with families she will often utilize play based family therapy. The way in which she does this is to assist parents to understand why their children are behaving in the way they are, i.e., what motivates their child’s behaviors. She can then help parents to learn what things they need to continue to do more of and what things they can do differently to make their relationship with their children more useful and healthy. This is done as she believes she will only be a part of a child’s life for a short time, but a parent will hopefully be a part of their child’s life forever. That parent can then utilize the skills acquired throughout their relationship.

 

Andrea closed her practice in the Atlanta area and relocated to her hometown in TN in order to be close to her family. Andrea continues to provide the services she once did, but now in the greater Clarksville, TN area. She joined the group private practice, Clarksville Counseling Center, where therapy services are provided.