Hi, I am Skylar! I recently completed my M.Ed in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling from the University of Lynchburg. I now have the privilege of counseling as a resident with Empower Counseling, PC. I have experience working with teenagers, college students, and adults facing a variety of obstacles such as depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, and substance use. I also have more than four years of experience working with children, teenagers, and young adults who have developmental and intellectual disabilities. 

As a counselor, I think it is essential to meet clients where they are. No individual is the same, so I strive to foster a trauma-informed and person-centered counseling relationship. My primary goal as a counselor is to provide my clients with a safe space where they can learn, grow, and explore themselves in all dimensions. My counseling ideology is rooted in Adlerian theory. I believe that early childhood experiences and relationships significantly impact all facets of development. I incorporate existential themes such as freedom and responsibility, isolation and belonging, finding meaning in life, and living and dying. In addition, I employ techniques rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy to help clients navigate and overcome negative thoughts, emotions, and experiences.