Therapists

I have over 33 years experience in counseling adolescents, individuals, and families. I began my career as a counselor in the inpatient mental health unit at Methodist Medical Center and worked in this capacity for six years, until transitioning to Associates in Psychiatry specializing in outpatient mental health. In 2003, I opened Glen Manor Counseling with Julie Ray. I have extensive experience with corporate employee assistance programs and enjoy helping companies work together as a team. I am an accomplished speaker on a wide variety of mental health and training topics.

As the elder Chairman at Northwoods Community Church, I am involved in spiritual leadership and facilitating church decisions. Interestingly, I am also a farmer who operates the family farm, which includes corn, soybeans, and a cattle business. I have been married for over 30 years and have three adult children. I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, and doing outdoor activities.

I specialize in serving clients with:

• Depression
• Anxiety – Mood Disorders
• Trauma and Abuse
• Grief and Loss
• Relationship Difficulties
• Marital Conflict
• Family issues
• Stress Management
• Self-Esteem

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I went into private practice in 2004 when I joined Glen Manor Counseling.

I work with clients (children, adolescents and adults) from a strength-based approach, in order to assist them in learning to reduce stress, resolve conflicts, improve relationships and increase healthy coping skills. In addition to providing counseling for individuals and families, I am also an experienced marriage counselor.

My wife and I were married in 1993. We raised three children and are now transitioning to the “empty nest” season of life. I enjoy spending time in the outdoors with my family, keeping up with the activities of our children and being involved in my church. Additionally, I enjoy helping to care for the several animals that inhabit our small farm.

One of the reasons I chose counseling as a career was my genuine love of people, as well as the great satisfaction I feel from walking with them through some of life's difficulties.

My areas of experience include but are not limited to:

• Stress management
• Family conflict
• Grief and loss
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Marital conflict
• ADD / ADHD
• Divorce
• Anger management
• Parenting skills
• Self-esteem

Clients express appreciation for my “warm and friendly personality” as well as my efforts to make them feel valued throughout the counseling process.

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I interned at Butler University's Counseling and Consultation Services office in Indianapolis, IN where I enjoyed working with young adult college students. I then gained post-degree experience as a Home-based Therapist in the Child Specialty Department of Centerstone of Indiana. In this position, I worked with adults, children, adolescents, and families displaying a variety of concerns such as mood disorders, behavioral issues, parental concerns, substance abuse, PTSD, suicidality and self-harm. I also led treatment teams providing intensive services for many of these clients. I later worked in a Youth Shelter where I provided interventions for homeless youth, family conflict, and probation cases.

My previous practice experience in Indiana has greatly benefitted my work at Glen Manor. I continue to value working with children, teens, and young adults as well as their families. Additionally, I work with adult women working through various challenges such as motherhood, healing after divorce, and growing in self-compassion. I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), yet value working with my clients on what approaches work best for them. I also have a Biblical worldview and provide faith-based counseling as well.

I have three amazing children and understand the challenges of being a working mom. I like being outdoors, running, painting, and discovering a new restaurant. I love reading, laughter, and a strong cup of coffee. I believe LIFE was meant to be lived to the FULL!

Honestly, emotional and mental health matters in order for us to show up for ourselves, and to show up in our lives. I also believe we need connection; we weren't meant to go through life's hurts and challenges alone. Oftentimes we get this connection through friends and family, but sometimes, some seasons, we need a little more than that. Sometimes it feels as though we are stuck in the spot we are in without hope of things changing. I understand that it's difficult to take that step towards counseling. My heart is to create a space to feel heard, understood, and to gain hope as we walk through those stuck points together.

I work with youth age 6-18 and adults who may be struggling in the following areas: 

• Depression, including Post-Partum Depression
• Anxiety-Mood Disorder
• Stress management
• Family conflict
• Parenting skills
• Coping skills
• Trauma Focused CBT, for youth & adults
• Marital conflict
• Grief and Loss
• Adjustment disorders
• Body Image/Eating Disorder

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While earning my graduate degree, I worked in a residential home assisting those with severe mental illness. Additionally, I interned at a community mental health clinic working individually with children, adolescents, and adults with a wide range of presenting issues. Upon graduating, I worked in a group recovery home for adolescents diagnosed with Substance Use Disorders at Chestnut Health Systems. After moving back to Peoria, I began working at Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery first running groups in the Intensive Outpatient Program, then working with individuals, groups, and families in the inpatient program as well as running groups for outpatient process addiction disorders. I moved on to work with adolescents and families at Children’s Home in the crisis mental health, community-based mental health, and Substance Use Disorders programs. Additionally, I supervised clinicians in the community-based mental health and Substance Use Disorder programs, as well as managing the Substance Use Disorder, parenting, and Mental Health and Juvenile Justice programs. Most recently I worked with individuals (adolescents and adults) and couples at True North Solutions.

My husband and I are in the exciting (albeit exhausting) phase of life raising two children. I enjoy rediscovering the world through their eyes: camping, hiking, canoeing, revisiting old childhood books, and the wonderful world of LEGO. When I am not spending time with family, I enjoy reading, being outside, and trying new recipes with varying degrees of success!

I prefer a collaborative, strengths-based approach that empowers each client to make positive changes one day at a time.

I work with adolescents, and adults on a variety of issues including:

• Substance use disorders
• Trauma and abuse
• Depression and mood disorders
• Anxiety and panic
• Adjustment disorders
• Stress management
• Relationship difficulties
• Boundary issues and concerns
• Assertiveness training

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