Biography

I am a Certified Peer Specialist in the state of Georgia as well as a State Trainer for The National Alliance on Mental Illnesses (NAMI) Peer to Peer Psychoeducation Program and Connections Support Group Program. At various times I have been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depression with Psychotic Features, Mild Depression, Schizoaffective Disorder, Schizophrenia and Complex PTSD. Every time I sit under a psychiatrist it seems I get a different diagnosis. I believe I had a nervous breakdown from too much stress and because of my family history and since that term "nervous breakdown" is no longer in vogue psychiatrists believe they must give you a "diagnosis" for insurance purposes. I also have never seen images or heard voices outside my head. My mother and brother developed Schizophrenia. She at the age of 27. He after having a very successful career as a college professor. Because of my family's history of mental illness I developed an interest in mental health and received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and my Masters of Science in Educational Psychology. I have been working on my recovery for the last 20 years. I have been employed in the field of mental health for the past 10 years. I have a lot of personal experience with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders. The disease does not scare me. It's a very misunderstood and stigmatized disease. Let me help you understand this disorder, work with you on a recovery plan or support you in your journey with this complex disease.

Specialties