She earned a Ph.D. in Applied Sociology from the University of Louisville in addition to a master's degree in Counseling Psychology. She previously worked for the Kentucky Department of Corrections, a community mental health services provider, and a variety of regional acute and long-term care medical facilities. The clients for whom she has provided services and assessments include marginalized populations such as the medically fragile, sex offenders, chronically mentally ill, and developmentally challenged. Today she continues her work with stigmatized persons through research and community advocacy for at-risk populations, such as exploited children. She teaches courses in medical deviance and stigma, sexualization of the body, research methods, and statistical analysis.