As a Certified Veterinary Social Worker and Social Work Certification in Animal Hospice and Palliative Care, I support veterinary medicine and allied animal health professionals and animal owners.   My areas of expertise include providing care for grief and bereavement, compassion fatigue and burnout, traumatic stress, communication challenges and conflict mediation, and the Link between human and animal violence.   Visit my background back to learn more.

“Specializing in the interprofessional space of veterinary social work, I pledge my service to society by tending to the human needs that arise in the relationship between humans and animals. From a strengths based perspective and using evidence-based approaches within my scope of practice, I will uphold the ethical guidelines of my profession, respect and promote the dignity and worth of all species, and diligently strive to maintain mindful balance in all of my professional endeavors.” -UT-Knoxville VSW Certificate Program

I have chosen to work through a highly reputable and established therapy platform which includes supportive mental health tools, ease of verifying insurance, and access to a referral base for those deciding to seek medication management.  

Insurance: Visit my Grow Therapy Profile to schedule individual sessions (Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, EAP: Cigna, EAP: UnitedHealthcare/Optum, GTEB, Kaiser Permanente, United Healthcare/Optum, VA Community Care Network)

Private Pay: $140/session

Sliding Scale: I provide a sliding scale for individual therapy for those who do not have insurance. 

Scheduling: I provide virtual appointments in the evenings and on weekends. If you do not find a time that works for you, feel free to contact me by email or confidential voicemail at 540-268-8917 to discuss scheduling options.

Groups: I am forming a virtual veterinary medicine and allied animal professional processing & wellbeing group for VA residents as well as a small yoga weekly drop in yoga class focused on restorative yoga and mental wellness (coming soon).

Veterinary Medicine and Allied Animal Professionals: Whether you are a seasoned associate, LVT, or volunteer in an animal shelter, I am here to support you. As a member of the Potomac Regional Veterinary Coping, Resilience, and Challenges Study, I bring evidence-based support to you regarding what is working in terms of coping and resilience in the profession for individuals and practices.

House Officers: I warmly welcome house officers (residents and interns) as I have experience supporting their nuanced needs in an evolving culture regarding veterinary professional wellbeing and increasing pet ownership.  I have completed trainings for post-graduate social work certificates in Veterinary Social Work from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Animal Hospice and Palliative Care through IAAHCP (International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care).  Through recent work at a veterinary teaching hospital, I specialized in supporting clients, faculty, staff, and students in their work with animals in both small and large animal services.

Veterinary Medical Students: Having supported clinical year students in a veterinary teaching hospital, I am well-versed in supporting your clinical experience as you sharpen skills and navigate new schedules, expectations, and balance personal and academic demands in the veterinary academic environment. I provide flexible scheduling to support your mental health.

More than half of U.S. households own a pet and most consider their pet a "family member", due to the crucial roles they fill - companion, emotional support animal, guide animal, and others.

With advances in veterinary medicine, our pets have access to a greater range of services than in recent decades. Despite the availability of pet insurance, there is no healthcare system for pets, which can create challenges in decision making and providing care for some. 

A veterinary social worker is trained in understanding the complex issues that arise as an animal owner and can assist in the following ways:

• Caregiving and chronic illness support

• End of life decision making

• Anticipating loss

• Humane euthanasia support

• Grief and bereavement, whether recent or in the past

• Animal assisted interventions

• The Link between human and animal violence