My Work & Training

My Work and Training: Providence Holistic Counseling & Life Coaching 

I worked as a Retail Store Manager with Radio Shack in 1992 and took a class at William Paterson University: Introduction To Social Work. One day in my store, a woman was yelling at her son and starting to hit him with great force. It bothered me, and I could not figure out what to do. That night in class, I asked my professor what she would do in that same situation. She replied flatly, “You quit your job and become a Social Worker.” I did. I quit my job for eight years, and that’s how this started, sort of. I’ve been a Social Worker, Counselor, Educator, Community Organizer, Life Coach, Reiki Counselor, Teacher, Mentor, Traditional Usui Reiki Teaching Master, and Spiritual Guide ever since. The job title and description change, but the work is the same: listening, sharing, holding, breathing, meditating, laughing, crying, and caring. The bulk of my training has come from excellent supervisors, mentors, and the incredible clients I’ve been connected to over the years. I’ve also trained and supervised over four hundred professional and para-professionals working with youth, adults, families, and communities.

I am not a New Age, Pop Psychology, or Self-Help Guru. If that is what you are looking for, I cannot help you.

Providence Holistic Counseling & Life Coaching Work History

Here is a partial list of the kind of work I’ve performed professionally:

Program Director – Youth Advocate Programs

Education & Recreation Coordinator – Project Breakaway

Family Preservation Worker & Youth Shelter Counselor – Monroe County Youth Services Bureau

Homeless Shelter Manager – Shelter Inc

Case Manager & Group Counselor – Amethyst House

Site Coordinator & M.L.K. Achieving Greatness Through Service Coordinator – Urban League of Greater Madison

Volunteer Coordinator & Event Coordinator – Dance New England

I’ve tried to the point of breaking, to find my way in this world flying solo, but it didn’t work. I am not an expert on anything.  I have clarity about us humans and what works and doesn’t, I am not always right, but at least headed in the right direction. I listen a lot and effectively, even though I talk a lot.  I’m intense, fun, funny, and incredibly resourceful. I’ve survived deserts (The Gobi), addictions (who hasn’t), recovery, therapy (she was persistent), success (professional, personal & spiritual), injury (back, spine), loss (too many to list), gifts (wisdom, intuition, intelligence, creativity) and obstacles (wisdom, intuition, intelligence, creativity, ego, arrogance, ignorance). Still standing. Come stand with me! I’m good at what I do.

Experience & Success as Providence Holistic Counselor & Life Coach 

Trauma, Addictions; Obsessions, Stress, Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Dating, Intimacy & Relationships; Crisis Management, Attention & Distraction; Inner Discernment; Old Patterns; Meditation & Mindfulness; Reiki; Spiritual Healing; Abuse, Professional & Career Development; Teens, Couples and Family Issues; Aggression & Violence; Anger, Loss and Grieving; Fear, Pain Isolation, Disconnection, Social Issues, Trust, Commitment, Self-Esteem, Time Management, Communication, Eating & Diet; Body Image, Abandonment, Control, Perfectionism, Rejection, Prejudice & Discrimination, Spirituality. If you have concerns or obstacles not listed, please contact me before assuming I cannot support your need for growth and development.

Providence Holistic Counseling & Life Coaching Credentials

B.A. in Social Welfare – University of Wisconsin

Crisis Intervention Specialist – 1993

Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Specialist – 1993

Wraparound Services/Child-Family Team Facilitator – 1993

Child Protective Services Training – 1994

Psychodynamics Training – 1995

Marriage and The Family Specialist – 1995

Foster Care and Adoption Services Coordinator Training – 1995

High At-Risk Youth Intervention Training – 1995

Certified Traditional Usui Reiki Teaching Master – 1995

Certified Traditional Usui Reiki Practitioner and Counselor – 1995

Ordained Minister of Natural Healing – 1995

Family Systems Training – 1996

Circle of Courage Youth At-Risk Trainer – 1996

Family Preservation In-Home Specialist Training – 1996

At-Risk Youth Group Counseling Training – 1996

Parent Support Group Training – 1996

Teen and Gang Violence Intervention Specialist – 1997

Wilderness Challenge Facilitator – 1998

Youth Experiential Learning Leader – 1999

For The Benefit of All Beings – Ten-Day Training with The Dalai Lama – 1999

Substance Abuse Counselor Training – 2000

Recovery Dynamics Substance Abuse Group Intervention Training – 2000

Substance Abuse Group Facilitator Training – 2001

Dr. Martin Luther King Youth Leadership and Diversity Facilitator – 2002

Diversity Sensitivity and Competence Trainer – 2002

Seminary Healing Apprenticeship (Two-year Program) – 2003

Playback Improvisational Theatre Training – 2005

Hip Hop Classroom Pedagogy Educator – 2006

Qi Healer Six-Day Intensive Training – 2009

EFL/ESL Classroom Teacher Certification – 2010

Komyo Reiki Kai Master – 2010

Legal Guardianship Training – 2011

Ordained Minister and Wedding Officiant – 2014

Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Level 1 – (In Process)

Providence Holistic Counseling & Life Coaching Intervention Training

Crisis Intervention; Adolescence;  Reiki Counseling; Family Preservation & Reintegration;  Racial, Cultural &  Social Groups; Child Abuse & Sexual Abuse; Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault (Survivors & Perpetrators); Criminal Recidivism; Group & Staff Team Building; Teen & Gang Violence; Spiritual Crisis.

Training & Supervision of Social Workers, Counselors, Life Coaches, Mentors, and Youth Workers.

Providence Holistic Counselor, Coach & Reiki Location and Rates

My office is in Warren, RI. I do not accept insurance. I offer a sliding scale fee ($95-$175) based on your own discernment of need. I accept cash, checks, Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express, and Pay Pal.

I invite you to contact me to see if we are a good fit to work together.