MY STORY

Hi, I’m Carrie. Thanks for joining me here. 

I have dedicated my life’s work to learning what makes us alike and different—searching for an understanding of how we create meaning and how this is reflected in our life stories and the work we do.

I have spent the better part of 25 years working in the helping profession. Starting with earning my bachelor’s degree in psychology, and moving on to get my Master’s degree in social work several years later, which led to receiving my clinical social work license shortly after that. Other than the waitressing and bartending gigs to get me through school--- it is all I have ever done. However, I could argue that those years working in the restaurant industry prepared me as much as anything else to see and understand people and their human nature. 

I have always been curious about other people. 

Curious about what drives the decisions and choices we make, and how our life experiences impact the lens we see the world through. That curiosity has led to my career choices. Intentionally striving to have a richer understanding and a well-rounded knowledge base. Working in crisis nurseries, residential treatment centers, and group homes, working with people who experience emotional and behavioral health challenges, childhood trauma, and developmental delays—working in hospital systems and non-profit organizations. With and within local government organizations. In schools and within school systems. With families and with children, and as a therapist in private practice. All of which ultimately led to leadership roles where I have spent the better part of my career. 

I hold a firm conviction that the most challenging times spark the most remarkable change.

With change often comes vulnerability and to be vulnerable takes courage. Courage to get real and speak into the varying feelings and emotions that come up—overcoming this fear that we are all alone in our thoughts or experiences and believing that we can all impact that change—having a willingness to have hard conversations and make hard decisions. 

I know this to be true because I have seen it in my lifetime and time again. Having survived childhood sexual abuse, I became motivated to understand at a young age. To search and find meaning in the unthinkable. I have spent my entire career looking at trauma, understanding it in the present, learning how to work through it, and seeing the long-term impacts on our self-esteem and self-worth. On our relationships. On individuals and families. And on systems and in schools. 

This is not just work for me. It is a piece of me, of who I am. I come into this work authentically me. I believe with my whole heart that we bring all of these experiences with us. Those experiences shape us as much as anything else, consciously and subconsciously. It has shaped how I lead others and approach change, both personal and professional. 

As a clinical social worker, I apply experience, theory, and tenure in the behavioral health field.

By lifting leaders, helping through therapeutic practices, and facilitating strategic initiatives, I empower others through my life’s work and clinical training. I lead with transparency and integrity. I enjoy stepping back and looking from a different angle to understand better. To gain greater awareness and to be inclusive and collaborative. To go deeper by asking the hard questions. To the best of my ability, with humility and a teachable heart, I hold a fierce belief in our ability to change. As we grow, we begin to shift our mindset for the greater good of the mission. I strive to bring this to every client. Every audience. Every project and every team. 

Whether individually or within organizations, we move forward by going through. Although this belief has been with me for as long as I can remember, I know first-hand this can be easier said than done, AND that it is a catalyst to growth that will lead to the betterment of the people we serve. When we remain open to listening and learning, we can move systems forward and champion change to truly make a difference. 

We often forget in this world that two people can both be right — it’s called perspective.

It’s how we listen, learn and grow through those differences in perspective that will move us forward. I am here to help other leaders lead well and find balance. To help others in the helping profession to get back their passion after feeling defeated or deflated in work. To help survivors have a voice and thrive! To help non-profit organizations sustain their missions and their work. To aid in the development of programs and policies that protect children, uphold values of equity, equality, and inclusion.

I have been fortunate to see much success in impacting change within organizations, and I look forward to the opportunity to share that success with you and your organization or team.