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My Education & Experience
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in the Tampa Bay area with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in marriage and family therapy, both from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. I have over 20 years of professional experience, including clinical work, workshop and seminar presentations, discussion and support groups, collaborative work with various health professionals, and wellness coaching. My writing contributions include being published in the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy.
I work from a strength-based, family systems approach, integrating Solution-Oriented, Emotionally Focused, and Narrative Therapies, as well as the Imago model. My clinical framework considers the individual's, couple's, and family's stage of life, and helps them explore, appreciate, and grow from their unique life story. My approach to working with clients is warm and collaborative, using relationship coaching techniques to enhance couples' communication, strengthen bonds between family members, and improve overall health and well-being.
As a first generation Greek-American, I experienced an upbringing rich with cultural influences, which has impacted how I relate to and help those of different ethnic backgrounds. My clinical work includes helping people address the role of their culture, faith and spiritual beliefs. I have led multiple faith-based discussion and support groups and helped people explore how our spirituality and community life intersect, impact, and contribute to our daily living.
I am married and have two daughters, one with developmental disabilities. As a stay-at-home mom during my girls' childhood, I was faced with an abundance of commitments, in terms of helping my special needs daughter, and providing the ongoing support needed for both of my daughters. Parenting a special needs child and navigating the unique challenges involved, in combination with my professional background, has enabled me to help others gain the essential skills and tools that are needed in stressful life situations to cope, heal, and grow.