My Story

Every counselor that seeks out this profession does so with a story of their own. I am no exception..

I grew up in Boston, Massachusetts and after going through a tough divorce with my first husband and being laid off, I moved to the Midwest to start over. I was sad, miserable, angry, and I drank. Two years later, I was still on a path of self-destruction. I had no friends and my life seemed hopeless. Things were getting worse quicker than I could adjust or even try to cope. With the help of family and a supportive, nonjudgmental counselor, I got the help I needed. I laid down the self-destructive behaviors I was indulging in and learned new ways to cope and then to thrive. I learned many new things and made positive changes. As a result, my life slowly began to take on new meaning. I decided to go back to school and become a counselor. I wanted to help people who were still suffering and didn't know what to do or where to turn. I was eager to spread the word about what I was learning to everyone I encountered. The most important lesson I learned and the one I carry with me daily is hope and recovery are possible to all who seek it.

It's been 14 years since my plane landed at Lambert International Airport in St. Louis, Missouri. My son is now a successful adult, and I have gotten remarried to an amazing man. I started my counseling career over 10 years ago at a community health agency and learned valuable skills before and after obtaining my license to practice. I decided to venture out on my own, because I wanted more freedom to help those in need and to continue growing as a counselor without corporate boundaries. LuLee Counseling Service emerged from a combination of my maiden and married names because my husband is my biggest supporter. He encourages and inspires me to never give up. My story and his continue to motivate me to connect with people seeking change in their lives. I have learned a lot about life, love, and happiness along the way and I want to share my lessons learned with others. Is life perfect? Absolutely not...not even close, but I'm not sad, I'm not miserable, I'm not angry, and I don't have to drink to cope. I've stopped hurting me.