My Story:

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As a freshman in college, I decided to pursue degree in foreign languages even though I was more interested in mental health professions. In my country of origin there was no counseling degree as a unique discipline. Therapy, at that time, was in the realm of psychiatry, and available primarily to patients diagnosed with major mental health disorders.

 Knowledge of other languages opened many doors for me, and I worked as an interpreter for the United Nations. I met individuals from over forty different countries and witnesses that many mental health challenges and difficulties were universal to all humans. I also witnessed how members of other cultures used their distinctive traditions and group values to help them manage distress and adverse events. Civil war in my country left many people struggling with the aftermath of various levels of trauma and in need of professional help, but the resources were scarce. I knew I wanted to be one of the professionals helping people who experienced various adverse events and exhausted their coping skills.

I met my husband while both of us were working for the UN. At the end of 1999 I came with him to Texas. It was not an easy decision to make but I will never regret becoming a Texan by marriage to a proud Texan. I enjoy living here and discovering something new about the mesmerizing history and lively culture of Texas and its friendly people. I love spending time outdoors with my dogs, or just watching deer, squirrels, and birds I feed every day on my property. My cats sit attentively in front of the window during the feeding time focused on the animals in the yard.