Ann Marie earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She began her journey in counseling by getting involved with a parachurch ministry called Beauty from Ashes that supports people healing from the effects of abuse. After leading women’s and children’s groups she began to feel called specifically into counseling. Her counseling experience includes work with children in an individual and group setting, families who are in crisis, abuse survivors, women who are struggling, and senior adults at a community center. She believes that the grace of God is strong enough to support individuals who are suffering and lead them into a more abundant life. Her counseling approach is integrative and includes the use of CBT strategies, narrative therapy, and a person-centered perspective. She believes that God gives “…beauty for ashes the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair”(Isaiah 61:3).