Cheryl Vestal blends relentless curiosity with a tranquil, methodical outlook, cultivating a garden of knowledge and herbs while quietly mastering data‑driven counseling, modest finances, and low‑key hobbies, all while occasionally misplacing their glasses on the kitchen counter.
Cheryl was raised in a multi‑generational, white Midwestern family rooted in the agricultural communities of southern Michigan. The region’s values of self‑reliance, modesty, and community service shaped her strong work ethic and her preference for privacy. Her parents, both engineers, fostered a love of learning and a pragmatic outlook, which later merged with the progressive counseling philosophies of the 1970s. As a Baby Boomer, she witnessed significant social change, blending respect for tr
Approaching traditional retirement age, Cheryl intends to shift into a mentorship and consulting role that leverages her dual expertise in mental health and data analysis. In the next five years she aims to (1) launch a county‑wide, evidence‑based tele‑counseling network for older adults in Lenawee County, (2) author a handbook on integrating quantitative assessment into everyday counseling practice, (3) serve as a clinical supervisor for graduate counseling trainees, and (4) volunteer to lead a
Cheryl pairs her graduate STEM training with over three decades of clinical practice to excel in evidence‑based psychotherapy, quantitative program evaluation, and technology‑enabled service delivery. She is proficient in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), psychometric assessment, crisis intervention, and developing structured, outcome‑focused treatment plans. Her analytical background enables her to design and interpret outcome studies using SPSS and R, whil
Cheryl’s leisure pursuits honor her love of curiosity while respecting her preference for solitude. She cultivates a vegetable and herb garden behind her Saline home, spends mornings on the local bird‑watching trail, and records observations in a handwritten field journal. An avid reader, she balances scientific journals with classic literary fiction. She also knits scarves and blankets using traditional patterns, solves daily crossword puzzles and sudoku, captures macro‑photographs of wildflowe