PhD in HUMAN DEVELOPMENT & FAMILY STUDIES
I have my PhD in Human Development & Family Studies from the University of Delaware. My dissertation research explores how Quaker families, who have a strong position on nonviolence, transmit and practice their values to raise critically aware, empowered children who see themselves as active peace-making agents in the complex world we find ourselves in. I believe that we, as individuals and families, can have a ripple effect and create more peace, joy, love, and soul-stirring adventure on this planet. It begins with us and our children so I ask you to believe in the power your family has to make a difference in this world.
Outside of my dissertation topic, I have spent the last decade researching and working with women, children, and families, from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, in rural, suburban, and urban settings, and with people who have a diverse array of religious and ethnic backgrounds. The common thread in all of my research is that the larger social ecology deeply influences personal and family well-being. In other words, the interconnected components of family and community life, relationships, self-care, and access to resources and education all impact the health of individuals and families.
I have studied all of the major theories in Human Development & Family Studies and my work is informed by the knowledge that the world is diverse, all individuals are unique, and that our overall well-being is directly impacted by our families, home life, careers, and experiences in the community at large. Children are especially sensitive to the environments around them and I will help you explore how the home environment, foods, daily rituals and rhythms, and family and peer interactions are playing a role in your child's well-being.
CERTIFIED HOLISTIC HEALTH COACH
I am a holistic Health Coach, certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners.
I received my training as a Health Coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition's cutting-edge Health Coach Training Program. During my training, I studied over 100 dietary theories, practical lifestyle management techniques, and innovative coaching methods with some of the world’s top health and wellness experts. My teachers included Dr. Andrew Weil, Director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine; Dr. Deepak Chopra, leader in the field of mind-body medicine; Dr. David Katz, Director of Yale University’s Prevention Research Center; Dr. Walter Willett, Chair of Nutrition at Harvard University; Geneen Roth, bestselling author and expert on emotional eating; and many other leading researchers and nutrition authorities. My education has equipped me with extensive knowledge in holistic nutrition, health coaching, and preventive health. Drawing on these skills and my knowledge of different dietary theories, I work with women to help them make lifestyle changes that produce real and lasting results.
CERTIFIED SIMPLICITY PARENTING GROUP LEADER
I received my certification in Simplicity Parenting at the historic Rudolf Steiner School in Manhattan.
Simplicity Parenting© offers a simple, orderly, and effective pathway to simplify four realms at home, which reduces stress on children and their parents, and allows room for connection, creativity, and relaxation.
These four realms for simplifying are:
Environment: De-cluttering too much stuff at home.
Rhythm: Increasing predictability by introducing rhythmic moments for connection and calm.
Scheduling: Soothing violent schedules brings moments for Being into all the Doing.
Unplugging: Reducing the influence of adult concerns, media and consumerism on children and families to increase resilience, social and emotional intelligence.
CERTIFIED IN THE TRANSFORMATIONAL COACHING METHOD
This coaching method is inspired by Neuro-Linguistic Programming, which is the study of human excellence and how humans make sense of their experience. I trained in this method under the guidance of Stacey Morgenstern and Carey Peters, the incredible business and lifestyle coaches of HolisticMBA. Transformational coaching is an integral part of my approach. The process of deep change work, with an emphasis on deepening feelings of empowerment, love, safety, and belonging, allows women to breakthrough old patterns and cultivate new approaches to experiencing what they really want in pregnancy, birth, parenthood, and life.
Read this article I wrote about manifesting the legacy you want to pass onto your children. The article is a good reflection of how I incorporate transformational coaching into my work with Moms and families.
