# data[].attributes.body
I graduated in 2007 from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA with a bachelor's degree in psychology.
I worked at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA right after I graduated as a mental health specialist. There, I worked on the adolescent residential treatment unit with girls ages 13-18 years old. It was a "step-down" dual-diagnoses unit (addiction and an additional diagnosis) and patients were there for a minimum of 2 weeks. It was a very challenging job but one which taught me a lot about working directly with patients and learning to handle high-emotion and high-stress situations.
I also have experience with psychological research as I spent some time working as a part of a research team at UPenn's Perelman School of Medicine investigating chronic pain and opiate addiction.

# data[].attributes.body
I have played sports since I was small, beginning with swimming at around 5. I swam, played basketball, and field hockey and ran track through high school. I continued to play field hockey all four years at Muhlenberg.
Athletics have had a major influence on the way that I think, how I work with others and on the person that I am.
The picture below is so old I actually had to take a picture of the hard copy with my phone to get it onto a computer.

# data[].attributes.body
I am currently a "stay at home" mom - although rarely do we just stay at home.
I also bartend on the weekends for a little change of pace.
I am married and my husband Billy and I have two daughters, Ada who is 5 and in kindergarten, and Emily who is 2 and does her best to be exactly like her big sister.

# data[].attributes.body
I am excited to continue this program and eventually earn a master's in school counseling.
I have always enjoyed being around elementary school aged children because, no matter their hardship, they are so incredibly resilient.
This is the population that I hope to work with once I have finished the program, however I plan to keep my mind and options open to other possibilities.

# data[].attributes.body
I spend my free time working out or reading. I enjoy reading more than anything else but exercising keeps me sane!
I also enjoy a good Netflix series but, since finishing Stranger Things, I have yet to find my "next show".