Being a mental health and couples therapist is my second career. I spent thirty years in the community newspaper industry as an assistant publisher and publisher of The Courier-Times, the local newspaper for Roxboro and Person County. I was the third generation of my family to manage this business. 

The newspaper industry had a generous profit margin during the 1990s. In 2001, this margin began to decline along with the number of people who depended on newspapers as their primary local news source. The 2008 recession significantly diminished profitability further and triggered my bout of extreme depression and anxiety. For several weeks, I despaired of getting out of bed and would daily have several panic attacks.

Through mental health therapy, I learned how to manage my anxiety and depression. My therapist helped me create a plan to diminish the strength of my triggers and reduce my negative assumptions about the future. Part of the plan was to read books to help me explore my fears and learn ways to cope with the discomfort of the unknown. 

As my career at the newspaper became more challenging due to the radical changes in the industry, I noticed an increasing desire to help others who struggled with mental health. In November 2017, my family sold our business. At 54, I began work on a Master of Arts degree in licensed mental health and relationship counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, graduating in May 2020. I became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate in November 2020.

I would never want to go through the depth of anxiety and depression to facilitate the redirection of my career, but I am delighted with the outcome. Helping people improve their mental health and relationships gives me a fulfillment I've never had.