Growing up in Barre, Vermont I dreamed of a life in Southern California but knew I would have to work hard to get there.  Luckily, work has never been an obstacle for me.  Years of training as a competitive figure skater had taught me to fight through pain and setbacks in order to achieve my goals.  Because I preserved, I made it to California, and because I believed in myself and wanted to help others, I set a new goal: to become a nurse.  Ten years later, I have it all.

     I am a firm believer that a healthy life means a life of balance: work hard and set goals, but always find time for your inner self.  I practice what I preach.  When I am not engaged with clients, I spend my time soaking up the beautiful weather that drew me here.  I hike and roller blade and am always up for a day on the beach or a run down the slopes.  I believe that we should control our lives and not let our lives control us.

     After receiving a degree in business and toiling at an unsatisfying desk job, I decided to follow my heart and go to nursing school.  I received my Bachelor of Science in Nursing  from Mt. St. Mary’s College.  I then specialized in psychiatric and chemical dependency nursing while working at UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute.  For years I have utilized my nursing skills in clinics for the homeless, lock-down psychiatric units, and in-patient chemical dependency facilities.  As a private nurse, I have taken care of many celebrity clients and currently appear as a transport nurse on the A&E television show “Intervention.”  Through working with a wide range of clients, I have learned how vital individualized care is, especially for those dealing with a psychiatric and chemical dependency illnesses.

     I created Turning Point Support Team to help in the healing process, to be the bridge to a healthy, positive lifestyle.  Every individual, no matter how troubled, has to right and ability to live life to their fullest potential.  I believe with my education, specialized work experience and background I can help Turning Point clients reach that potential.

     I was born in Miami Beach, but my family moved to Houston where I spent my elementary school years.  Early on, I demonstrated a special talent for the arts and was an enthusiastic actor, performing both in local plays and in a traveling theater company during the summer.  But at fourteen, I discovered my true purpose:  I volunteered at a nursing home and realized I had a gift and desire to care for those who were ill.  It was a humbling experience that has guided my life ever since.

     I went to nursing school at the University of Florida and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1994.  During my final rotation, I found my greatest passion and challenge:  the field of psychiatry.  Directly after graduation, I had an incredible opportunity to manage women's health centers in several different cities.  Although I would not trade that time for anything, after one year, I knew that it was time to pursue my destiny and work in the field of mental health.  I began working in a hospital on an inpatient adult psychiatric unit. From this point forward, I never looked back. I learned that nursing was truly an Art and that I had this wonderful gift to give to people.

     For the past twelve years, I have worked in the field of mental health; four of those years have been spent with children and adolescents in university hospital settings.  I have learned a tremendous amount which has sharpened and focused my professional vision:  to share my expertise with the community at large.

     I am part of Turning Point because it allows me to promote healing. My goal as Health Care Coordinator is to serve people with persistent mental illness, chemical dependency or impairing life crises.  I want to build community partnerships so that our clients have the chance to receive optimal healthcare and clinical support services.  My mission is to promote wellness through guidance.  It is my great hope to empower every client of Turning Point with the greatest gifts available to us:  dignity and choice.

     Coming Soon ...

     I was born in Boston, Mass. Since Boston I have lived in New Mexico, Colorado, northern California and currently southern California. I'm 23 years old and have 4 years of sobriety. I went into treatment at 19 and have been sober ever since. Though the path has been long and not always easy, I am so grateful for the opportunity to help others in any way I can.

     In addition to being in recovery, I have worked at three different treatment centers in the Los Angeles area. These opportunities gave me plenty of experience working with adolescents, dual diagnosed clients and the newly sober. I gained a lot of experience in medication distribution, transporting clientele, one on one client services, accompanying clients to AA mtgs. and providing any other service necessary to provide safety and comfort.

     Turning Point to me is an incredible service provided to those who feel they need an extra hand while transitioning in life. The people I have encountered while working here have been nothing but positive, motivated and reliable. I am honored to be included in such a team. I would recommend Turning Point to any of my past clients, relatives or friends transitioning out of rehab, recovery or just in to another phase of life. 

     I am one of the few people who was born and raised in Los Angeles. I enjoy watching and at times playing different sports. I am a former ice skater and have always had a passion for the ice. In my spare time I watch young children, and love to aid them in growing up and learning new things. Being a full time college student and working part time leaves me little time to relax, but when I get the chance I like to see movies and catch up with my friends.

     As mentioned above, I am a full time college student working on my degree in Psychology with a minor in nursing. I have chosen to go into the field of clinical psychology, working with teens and adults, focusing on drug addiction. To over come my own personal addictions, I attend an adolescent treatment center in St. George Utah where I was introduced to Alcoholics Anonymous. From there I began to work a twelve-step program, which I have completed and continue to work to this day. Through my personal experience as a person in recovery I feel that I can help another person through their struggles and to become comfortable with themselves. I want to help other people find sobriety as I did and to live a wonderful life. I am fully trained in CPR, First Aid, Water Safety and Lifeguard.

     I choose to work at Turning Point because for years I have watched different people with all different backgrounds go in and out of hospitals and institutions hoping for a different result. With Turing Point we can provide one on one attention to each individual helping him or her with what they need. Working as a team, helping to minimize the number of people who slowly slip back into old behaviors so they may achieve a healthy and wonderful life.  

     After growing up and attending college in Texas, I set out in search of a new adventure.  Los Angeles provided me with the opportunity to live a healthy, active lifestyle while maintaining my core values.  I enjoy a variety of the activities the city has to offer from hiking and spending the day at the beach to dining out and enjoying live concerts.  I am fascinated by different environments and cultures and spend a large amount of my free time traveling.

     Throughout college I worked as an Education Coordinator at Moody Gardens educating and rehabilitating individuals through horticulture and animal therapy.  I obtained a Business degree with hopes of using my communication skills to further benefit the community.  Once in LA, I worked for several years organizing events in which we hired speakers to promote leadership and teamwork within corporations.

     Joining the Turning Point team gave me the perfect opportunity to utilize my combined experiences, while providing one on one care to individuals in need.  As a Care Companion I am able to encourage our clients to maintain a balanced lifestyle by assisting them with organizational and social skills needed to decrease the chances of relapses and hospitalization.  I am looking forward to bringing the services that Turning Point provides into new communities and have begun work to expand into the Albuquerque area.