Education & Training

I received my undergraduate degree from Portland State University and I have my masters in clinical mental health counseling from the University of Dayton and post-graduate certification in Infant-Toddler Mental Health from Arcadia University. I completed the certification training in postpartum mood disorders through Postpartum Support International.

I have extensive education in child development, families, and parenting with an emphasis on adoption and child anxiety. I completed the Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) program designed by Dr. Eli Lebowitz from the Yale Child Study Center. I have also attended continuing education programs with Dr. Bruce Perry of The Neurosequential Model Network and with Dr. Stuart Ablon of Think:Kids.

Professional

01

Current

• Open Book Parenting: Design and implement a virtual group and individual psychoeducation program for parents of anxious children and teens; write curriculum based on current research; offer live trainings; one-to-one consulting.
• Building Family Counseling: Provide evaluation and treatment of children, adolescents and adults; facilitate parenting classes and support groups. Supervise licensed professional counselors seeking their independent licensure.

02

Past

• Adjunct Instructor for The Ohio State University’s College of Education & Human Ecology
• Family Case Manager for the Portland YWCA’s Women’s Resource Center, founded Safe to Grow program
• Site Director for the Portland YMCA North/Inner North East Branch
• Parent Educator for the Oregon State University’s Extension Services

03

Volunteer

• Founding Board Member for The Grove: A Creative Commons
• Steering Committee for Coalition of Adoptive Families
• Group facilitator for collaboration between Ohio Birthparent Group and Adoption Network Cleveland
• Advisory Board to The Options Counseling Project of the Donald Adoption Institute

And Personal

I live in the Poconos with my husband and our empty nest dog, Kanga. My now grown children, Noah and Madison, have graciously given me permission to share kid stories about them in my writing and in my trainings, for which I am forever grateful. In my downtime I enjoy reading, watching movies that pass the Bechdel test (and some that don’t) and going on long walks, complaining vociferously about the hills.

I am currently looking for representation for my book on child anxiety, Tell Me It Will Be OK: Parenting Anxious Kids in a Worried World.