With a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Pfeiffer University, Brandie spent time in the classroom teaching elementary school prior to starting her Master’s program. While attending Liberty University Online for her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Brandie had the opportunity to work as the Director for an Outdoors Afterschool Program. This strengths-based program used play and the outdoors as alternatives to help students who found it difficult to navigate typically structured classrooms and afterschool care.

While completing her master’s degree, Brandie interned with The Bair Foundation, a national non-profit foster care and adoption agency. She invited, evaluated, trained, and licensed potential foster families for children and teens with significant trauma leading to their need for adoption. Brandie helped to teach families about healthy communication and how to grow together through difficult situations. Brandie thoroughly enjoyed witnessing the resiliency of children, teens and families and this experience solidified her passion for working with families.

Upon completion of her internship, Brandie received a North Carolina provisional Marriage and Family Therapy license and also has the credentials to help couples prepare for and sustain their marriage through the Prepare Enrich Marriage Curriculum. Brandie is a member of the Blue Ridge Emmaus Community and serves in various leadership positions. She is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and enjoys her volunteer work with the homeless population and participating in disaster clean up.

In her free time Brandie enjoys running, volunteering, photography, traveling, biking, hiking, and games with her family and friends.

Let me share a middle school story…

“I actually never attended a “middle school,” but experienced sixth through eighth grade in a K–8 school. This means that the same kids I attended kindergarten with were still a part of my life in the eighth grade! Sometimes that was a struggle, as you can imagine, spending 1,440 days together can cause arguments and disagreements, but for the most part it was totally cool. In the middle school grades, I remember late nights of basketball games during the school year and pool parties during the summer. While there were many days of laughter and fun, my middle school years are ones of uncertainty, questioning, and trying to fit in. I chose to surround myself with positive peers and supportive teachers who literally changed my trajectory. The teachers sought to pour positivity into my life daily which helped build my future foundations. I once was a “Debbie Downer” who doubted her capabilities, but through the growing pains, and gains, of middle school, I decided to become a teacher and now a therapist where I can help change the trajectories of many who cross my path.”