My Story

Raised by multiple generations of intellectuals, survivors, caregivers, educators, civil servants, hard-workers, and justice keepers, I grew up surrounded by people who embodied nurturing and curiosity. 

Studying human development in college was a natural fit and flamed my deep passion for studying, understanding and explaining how we all evolve and grow over our lifespan. It was affirmation that as a therapist, I could use my knowledge and compassion to help others live more happy and fulfilled lives. And I could build a career that nurtured both my intellectual interests and the values I hold dear. 

I also felt intrigued and committed to trying out the service I wanted to provide.  

So, I connected with my own amazing therapist and lived the therapeutic process - the shedding of old patterns, a deeper emergence of my true voice, a confidence that I could live life on my terms and find success along the way.  

Through this work, I came to see how maintaining a connected and loving relationship with myself is the foundation for a happy, successful life. And key to working through its inevitable challenges - and believe me, there were challenges. Undiagnosed illness, professional roadblocks, changing relationships, and the loss of loved ones. 

Deepening my self-understanding and refining my supportive tools and wellness practices didn’t eliminate these challenges or all the feelings that came along with them, but it did allow me to move through them in a way that felt manageable and authentic, and to continue pursuing and achieving my goals. And it allowed me to maintain a foundation of confidence and happiness as I flowed through the natural changes and waves of life.  

And then there were my patients. The countless individuals and families who allowed me in, to move through their journeys with them, taking risks in pursuit of reward, pushing themselves to try something new, to learn about themselves and their children. These incredible people allowed me to see the theories and science I’d studied and feel so passionate about come to life in real time.  

The parents whose unique voices shared with me the universal truth that parenting is in fact really, really hard - that life is really, really hard - found increased confidence, lightness, joy, and skill at managing all the twists and turns, and it connected all the dots for me. Shifting the focus to the parent-child relationship, prioritizing parental wellness, cultivating insight and self-awareness, refining emotional regulation and communication skills, education, support, reflection and practical tips. I had unlocked a process that was allowing my patients not just to survive, but to thrive in parenthood, and in all stages of life. 

So, with all of this personal and professional insight in my pocket, you’d think my motherhood journey would be a breeze, right? 

Well, the truth is… It hasn’t been, because nobody’s parenting experience is ever a breeze! From changes in my body throughout pregnancy, to back labor and early-term delivery, to potty training, family expectations, disagreements with my husband, toddler tantrums, sibling bickering, and now a global pandemic, it certainly hasn’t been easy...

But another truth is, it’s been pretty darn great and loads of fun. Most days I experience more joy and fulfillment than I ever thought possible. I have a strong sense of trust in myself and my partner that our actions are setting up our kids for success throughout their lives. We’re all deeply bonded. We laugh together, sit with each other, and feel present and attuned. My kids are curious, creative, self-assured, flexible, smart and kind, and so cute.  

And it’s not because I found the right book and my kids started sleeping through the night at 6 weeks (for the record, they definitely did not). Don’t get me wrong, practical tips and options and behavioral management are a valuable piece of the puzzle. I consume them and am always exploring new practices to support my kids’ (and my) evolving needs. But what I come back to the most is the method that I’ve seen drive success for myself and my patients for years.  

It involves slowing down, observing, understanding, and unconditionally accepting ourselves, our partners and our children. Responding with thought, intention and kindness. Acknowledging and forgiving mistakes. Knowing that the impact I want to make as a parent is directly tied to my wellness and treating myself with the same attentiveness, care and compassion that I strive to offer my children and my husband.  Understanding my patterns and expectations and the way they show up in my parenting. Viewing behaviors as reflections of deeper feelings and needs. Thinking intentionally about the outcomes I desire and using them to guide but not control the present. Reframing pregnancy, postpartum and parenthood as a continuous process of change and growth and pieces of our ongoing evolution across the life cycle. It is then that we can leverage this into creating the life we want. 

This method served me before kids, it's serving me now, and I know it will serve me in the years to come.  

So, as my kids have gotten a little older and I began to think about my next professional steps, it was clear where my passion is and where to go next. I want to support as many parents as possible in building the knowledge, intuition, practices and skills to navigate the rapid changes and high demands of pregnancy, postpartum, and early childhood with confidence, levity and joy. I truly believe that the early childhood years are the most transformative and complex for parent and child alike, and that supporting parents through this process can change the world for the better-one family at a time.   

Through my years of working with families, and now being a parent of 2 young children, I’ve learned that you can’t eliminate the challenges, but you can develop insight and tools to make life more manageable and playful.  And to ensure you’re living it on your terms. 

I believe that in doing so, parents can find deep joy in this season of life, and be more present and fulfilled in their relationships with their children, themselves and their partners than ever before…   

And now I want to share it with you.