Cannie, is a dedicated and experienced Resident in Counseling in Virginia. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Counseling & Supervision at James Madison University (JMU), with an anticipated graduation date of May 2025. Her dissertation, titled "There is a Crisis Brewing in Higher Education," reflects her deep engagement with contemporary issues in the field. Cannie also holds an MA/EdS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from JMU. Additionally, she earned a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion Science from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and a Bachelor of Science in Health Science with a concentration in Public Health from JMU.
Cannie has been practicing as a counselor since 2017, gaining extensive experience across diverse clinical settings. She has worked in outpatient rural clinics, served as an outpatient therapist at JMU’s Counseling & Psychological Services, and contributed to the Psychological Emergency Response Services (PERS) team at Sentara Rockingham Memorial Hospital. Her experience also includes crisis stabilization at the CSB Arbor House, where she provided critical support to individuals in acute mental health crises. Her work encompasses individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, mental health stabilization, substance use and and fostering long-term personal growth.
Her areas of expertise include crisis intervention and stabilization, anxiety and stress management, depression and mood disorders, substance abuse and recovery, college student mental health, and culturally competent counseling. Cannie is adept at providing immediate support and interventions for individuals in acute mental health crises, helping them stabilize and connect with appropriate ongoing care. She helps clients develop coping strategies to manage anxiety, reduce stress, and improve overall emotional well-being. She offers therapeutic support to address depression and other mood-related challenges, fostering resilience and emotional regulation. She assists clients in overcoming addiction, supporting recovery efforts, and addressing underlying factors contributing to substance use. She also addresses the unique challenges of college life, including academic stress, adjustment issues, identity development, and mental health disorders, while promoting resilience and wellness. Her culturally competent counseling approach provides inclusive and respectful care that acknowledges and integrates clients’ cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds into the counseling process.
Cannie employs an eclectic therapeutic approach, using methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT). RCT is particularly impactful as it focuses on the role of relationships in mental health. Together, she and her clients can explore and improve relational patterns to promote healing while ensuring the client's voice is central to their work. Her holistic approach recognizes the connections between mind, body, and spirit and is rooted in cultural humility and inclusivity. She aims to nurture hope and challenge irrational thoughts, working towards meaningful transformation so clients can live their 'best life.' She is committed to supporting clients throughout their journey.
Passionate about empowering individuals to navigate life’s challenges and uncover their strengths through a collaborative and compassionate counseling process, Cannie strives to create a safe, inclusive space where clients feel seen, heard, and supported as they work toward meaningful growth and healing. By blending evidence-based practices with a holistic approach, she is dedicated to helping clients achieve balance and live their “best life.”
Outside of her professional work, Cannie enjoys horseback riding, gardening, hiking, and camping to connect with nature and recharge. She is deeply committed to service and finds fulfillment in giving back to others. In her free time, she loves reading, traveling to explore new places and cultures, and cherishing moments with family and friends who mean the world to her. Cannie is fluent in English and has some proficiency in Spanish.
