My personal story
I grew up in the Twin Cities and raised my first son, Nate as a single mom. Nate and I dealt with a great deal of struggles during those years and I learned a great deal about children’s mental health and the importance of fathers in kids lives. Somehow with the support of my family I was able to complete my Masters Degree and become a Psychologist. I focused my early work in community mental health and children’s mental health.
In 2000 I married and Paul and I moved to Apple Valley where I got a wonderful second chance at parenting. It isn’t always easy but parenting in partnership with a clear focus on building a healthy, attached family has been life changing for me. I believe marriage and parenting offer us all a chance to heal our personal wounds and become the people we were meant to be.
I have both personally and professionally focused on supporting families with young children to create strong relationships and great families through therapy as well as in my weekly newsletter, in classes and workshops, and by work in my community. My family practices Attachment Parenting and I believe it is possible to have high expectations of your kids while parenting them without punishment.
Education/Qualifications
MS Marriage and Family Therapy 1997 University of Wisconsin Stout
Trained in Family Mediation, Erickson Mediation 1997
Licensed in Minnesota since 1999
Member of Marriage Friendly Therapy
Steering committee, Pregnancy and Postpartum Support MN
