Education

Master Degree

Master of Social Work at University of Georgia
Social Work
Athens, Georgia

Undergraduate School

Georgia Southern University
Bachelor of Science Sociology/Social Work
Statesboro, Georgia

Personal Interests

I have not had a lot of time to develop extensive hobbies, but I am a pet lover with two dogs and a cat, love to read, am the family photographer, and I’m accomplished in French Hand Sewing and have been published in Sew Beautiful magazine.  I guess the most interesting piece of trivia about me is that I have a great-great uncle who was cinematographer for Mary Pickford, a great uncle who was a two-time Oscar winner for Best Cinematography for My Fair Lady and The Picture of Dorian Gray (and nominated for twelve others), a talented cousin who was cinematographer for 48 films, and I have several cousins in the film business, theater, and one who is an Audible book reader.  I may be within two degrees of Kevin Bacon!

Biography

I have been a resident of Statesboro since 1984.  I live here with my husband who is an adult GED educator with a private correctional facility.  I have two adult children who make me proud every day.  My oldest daughter graduated from the University of Georgia and received a position with Teach for America and was placed in Nevada teaching 8th Grade Science.  My youngest daughter is enrolled in a Masters-PhD combined program in Industrial Organizational Psychology at the University of Missouri, St. Louis where she is also a Teaching Assistant in Statistics.

I am a firm believer that evidenced-based training enables me to provide the best care to my clients.  To this end, I receive regular continuing education in many areas and have attained more extensive, formal trainings to meet a variety of psychotherapy needs.  Some of the more notable trainings include Autism and Addictions coursework from Georgia Southern University, EMDR for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and other psychiatric disorders from EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program, Hypnosis through the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, and Marriage & Couples Counseling through the Gottman Institute.

As for other professional experience, I grew up in Rincon, Georgia and attended Effingham County Schools.  After earning my degrees, I was employed by Hospice Savannah, Inc. as their very first Social Worker and paid Volunteer Coordinator.  Afterward, I was employed at River Quest Psychoeducational Program (now GNETS) for 18 years, working with children who had severe emotional and behavioral disorders (primarily Autism, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia) within local school systems.  I am very experienced with the special education system!  Later, I decided to go into private practice where I worked with all age groups that include toddlers, children, foster children, teens, adults, families and couples.

I am very excited to work with Dr. Samuels and his staff.  I believe in the service model that Dr. Samuels has created in blending psychiatry and counseling into one comprehensive service location.