After experiencing my own personal losses I was able to see the value in talk therapy and the risk that it involves in making oneself vulnerable to a total stranger. I have always loved hearing about people's life stories and challenges and feel that there are multiple paths one can take to heal and self-discover. I grew up in a large and often emotionally intense family and have always felt comfortable listening to conflicting points of view. I have worked at psychiatric hospitals for over 30 years and have probably seen the best and the worst of clients suffering from mental health issues; this has definitely made me a more open-minded and empathetic therapist. I firmly believe there is always hope if we are willing to take risks.