My “Why”

For years, I sat in trainings thinking, we’re not getting to the root of the problem. People don’t wake up one day and decide to have a substance use disorder — it’s life. It’s the attempt to cope, to navigate, to ease emotional, physical, and spiritual pain.

During my years as a senior regulatory investigator, I worked closely with dedicated professionals on drug diversion cases. They were intelligent, service-driven, and compassionate. What impacted me most wasn’t just their investigative skill, but the empathy and respect they showed to healthcare professionals facing some of the hardest moments of their lives. Those experiences taught me that behind every case was a human being who was hurting.

That realization became my “why.” I saw the consequences of untreated pain and environments that erode well-being — and I knew I wanted to be part of the healing process, not just the aftermath. Today, as a counselor, I bridge my two decades in healthcare regulation with my training in mental health to walk alongside women juggling life’s many roles and healthcare professionals who give so much of themselves.

Through Healing Monarch Counseling & Wellness, PLLC, I offer a space for restoration, balance, and growth — a place to reconnect with your authentic self before burnout or crisis takes hold. My work is guided by compassion, curiosity, and the belief that healing is possible for every person.