About Me

"Most of the shadows of this life are caused by standing in one's own sunshine"

Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Like most of us, I sometimes require feats of endurance of myself that  I would not expect of others.  Fortunately, it gives me pause  knowing my body and mind are not separate. This has been known by science for decades. Our bodies and minds are intelligent and innately strive toward safety and balance. 

It is particularly noticeable in children that behavior is not random. It is their way of letting us know something needs to change if they are to thrive.  This developmental viewpoint presented itself organically to me during my 16 years as a School social Worker . We are very sophisticated children, better skilled as masking our struggles but routinely stuck at points along the way. 

In everyone's life, pain and loss arise.  But we need only turn to the studies of Adverse Child Experiences to know that there is a connection between what we experience in early life and how much emotional and physical difficulties we encounter as time goes on.

Certifications:

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, License # 149012912, State of Illinois, 2008, IL Dept of Professional & Public Regulation

School Social Work, Type 73, Illinois Department of Education & member Special Education Team, Lake Villa School District, IL.  1997-2013 

Child Specialist, Collaborative Divorce Illinois 2014-2018,  & Family Mediator, vetted by Lake County Courts 2015-2020

Collaborative Problem Solving, Dr. Ross W. Greene, 2015

Social Thinking Presenter, Social Thinking Conference, 2015

Nurtured Heart Approach Certification, 2002 

Simplicity Parenting and STEP Training for Parents, (2011 & 1998)