At Resilient Networks, the work goes beyond the therapy room. As a licensed mental health counselor and a public health practitioner, I’ve seen firsthand how policies, schools, and community systems shape our mental health.
“Healing isn’t just personal.
It’s systemic.“
That’s why I engage in advocacy, community initiatives, and systemic interventions that uplift the broader environments in which we live and heal.
Another individual and I had utilized this approach in other neighborhoods giving water out and asking what message they would want to write in front of their homes for others to see; as well as near distribution sites in downtown Asheville and Burnsville.
Current & Recent Projects
Medicaid Advocacy & Provider Access
Navigating Medicaid as a mental health provider can be challenging—and for many, it becomes a barrier to offering care where it’s needed most. As a bilingual licensed counselor and public health practitioner, I’ve seen how these administrative hurdles can deepen inequities in rural and underserved communities.
That’s why I’ve engaged directly in Medicaid advocacy efforts across Western North Carolina, focused on reducing provider barriers and supporting sustainable access to care. This work has included:
- Collecting and synthesizing provider feedback from over 30 independently practicing and group-affiliated therapists across the Asheville and WNC region
- Identifying core barriers such as overwhelming paperwork, audit anxiety, lack of technical assistance, and opaque denial processes
- Collaborating with regional health leaders and agencies to elevate this feedback to decision-makers within NC Medicaid, including the Provider Ombudsman and local AHEC networks
- Drafting targeted communications that bridge frontline experiences with systems-level policy reform goals
- Advocating for transparency and reimagined credentialing processes that prioritize community need, therapist retention, and equitable access
This work reflects my broader commitment to culturally grounded systemic change, where policy, practice, and care intersect.
School-Based Suicide Prevention & Systems Strengthening
As part of my Master of Public Health practicum with Henderson County Public Schools, I collaborated with the Student Services team to strengthen district-wide suicide prevention efforts. This work centered on revising the Suicide Risk and Self-Harm Protocol to align with national best practices, including the 2024–2025 American School Counselor Association (ASCA) guidance, and implementing Sources of Strength (SOS), a peer-led, evidence-based program that builds protective factors among youth.
A cornerstone of this work was my creation of a comprehensive Year 1 Launch Booklet for advisors and youth mentors to guide the school system’s first full year of SOS implementation. This 30+ page resource was designed to be practical, inclusive, and culturally responsive, offering:
- Clear, youth-led campaign structures aligned with the SOS Strength Wheel
- Doable activity plans, checklists, timelines, and role guides
- Meeting agendas, discussion prompts, and fidelity assessment tools
- Customizable campaign templates for themes like “What Helps Me,” “Trusted Adults,” and “Strength Week”
- A community partner directory and resources to support sustainability
This work bridges my clinical experience and public health training, emphasizing my commitment to sustainable, system-wide approaches to youth mental health.
Community Capacity Building & Mental Health Education
Building community resilience means designing systems that reflect both lived experience and evidence-based care. I partner with schools, clinics, and community organizations to deepen their capacity for trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based work. Building community resilience means designing systems that reflect both lived experience and evidence-based care. I partner with schools, clinics, and community organizations to deepen their capacity for trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based work.
What this currently includes:
- Collaborative workshops and consultations on topics such as neurodivergence, trauma, and culturally attuned care, delivered to educators, clinicians, and interdisciplinary teams (e.g., MAHEC, Oakley Elementary, WCU)
- Wellness design and instructional development, including my previous volunteer role with the Jackson County Health Department, where I’m supporting the creation of accessible health education materials
- Public health service with Buncombe County during crisis response and with surrounding counties through regional community engagement efforts
- Designing practical tools for youth mental health, including campaign templates, advisory guides, and equity-centered educational content
My focus is on translating big systems ideas into grounded and relational action – meeting communities where they are and offering tools they can build from!
How Can We Collaborate or Get Involved?
Let’s Build Something That Lasts!
Whether you’re a school administrator, community leader, health department, or someone with a vision for change – you are welcome here. My work is grounded in systems care and public health, with a deep respect for place, story, and sustainability.
I work at the intersection of mental health and systems care, bringing a dual perspective as a bilingual Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a public health practitioner. My work supports both individual healing and collective transformation.
With a background in clinical care, suicide prevention, crisis systems, and equity-based program design, I help communities, schools, and agencies deepen their capacity to respond to trauma, build connection, and strengthen sustainable models of care.
Ways we can collaborate now – or in the future:
- Training and curriculum design for schools, health departments, and frontline staff
- Consultation on crisis protocols, trauma-informed implementation, or wellness strategy
- Custom public health tools and educational materials rooted in accessibility and cultural humility
- Facilitation and speaking engagements on topics such as neurodiversity, equity in access, or mental wellness
- Collaborative research or implementation partnerships that bridge practice and policy
I approach this work with clarity, care, and a belief that systems change is most powerful when it centers relationship, lived experience, and cultural sustainability.
Ready to Connect?
Whether you’re hoping to join my therapy waitlist or explore consulting, training, or community collaborations, please reach out through my contact form or email me. By reaching out you understand that we have not established a working or professional relationship until services are rendered.
