I didn’t start out my career as a therapist, although I knew from the time I was in high school that this is what I wanted to do. After graduating from college, I moved to Japan to teach English, and this set the course for the next 15 vears or so of my life. I worked in management consulting in Tokyo for much of that time, and was busy as a wife and mom as well. As I faced the challenges of being a busy mom, my interest in families and their development grew – it grew to the point that I decided I wanted to go back to grad school to learn more about healthy relationships and how to grow and nurture them.
Along the way, I learned more about conflict in relationships – whether that’s conflict in a marriage, in a business partnership, between a parent and their child, etc. I grew up in a tvpical Midwestern family that wasn’t very good at working through conflict, and so I could recognize in myself that I needed to learn this stuff! What I’ve learned through various trainings, reading of books, and personal experience has been tremendously helpful when working with the people that come to my office for therapy, coaching, or dispute resolution.
I really enjoy all of these aspects of what I do – helping people have healthier relationships and to be better communicators and resolvers of conflict! I’d love to help you too.
I am a licensed psychologist and marriage and family therapist. My master’s degree in counseling is from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, and I completed a post-master’s certificate program in marriage and family therapy also at St. Mary’s. I have advanced training in Narrative Therapy, Filial Play Therapy, and clinical hypnosis. I have advanced training in the Gottman Method for Couples Therapy, and a range of training and experience in conflict resolution and working with high conflict families and parent-child contact problems.
I am a licensed psychologist and marriage and family therapist. My master’s degree in counseling is from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, and I completed a post-master’s certificate program in marriage and family therapy also at St. Mary’s. I have advanced training in Narrative Therapy, Filial Play Therapy, and clinical hypnosis. I have advanced training in the Gottman Method for Couples Therapy, and a range of training and experience in conflict resolution and working with high conflict families and parent-child contact problems.
Professional memberships and qualifications:
Minnesota Psychological Association (MPA)
American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
Minnesota Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT)
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
Rule 114 Qualified Neutral
What to Do When Your Child Doesn’t Want to Go to the Other Parent’s Home, AFCC
Refuse and Resist Cases: Making the Case to the Court, AFCC
Borderline, Narcissistic, Antisocial and Histrionic Personality Disorders, PESI
High Conflict Co-Parenting, William James College
Coercive Control = Domestic Violence, AFCC-MN
Abuse to Alienation: Tip of the Iceberg, AFCC-MN
Addressing Trauma: Using a Narrative Therapy Approach, Kenwood Therapy Center
Equal Parenting Time in Practice and Policy, AFCC
Working with Divorcing and Separating Families, MPA
Coping Abilities Children Need, AFCCScreening for IPV, AFCC-MN
Children with Special Needs and Resist-Refuse Dynamics AFCC
Children’s Voices in Cases Involving Parent-Child Contact Problems, AFCC
Resistance, Refusal, Alienation, AFCC
Bridging Parental Conflict, The Bridging Center
Overnights for Young Children, AFCC-MNHamline University School of Law
Reunification Techniques in High Conflict Divorce and Family Abduction cases, AFCC
Advanced Issues for Family Law and Dispute Resolution Pofessionals, AFCC
Divorce Mediation, Conflict Resolution Center
Civil Mediation, RCRRMediation Center of Minnesot
Child Inclusive Mediation, ediation Center of Minnesota
Parenting Consulting Training, Mediation Center of Minnesota
Advanced Parenting Consultant Training, William James College
Custody and Parenting Plan Evaluation Training, Mediation Center of Minnesota
The Hats We Wear as Court Experts, AFCC
Parent Coaching, AFCC
Notes from a Master Class on Child-Informed Mediation, AFCC
Co-Resolution and Legal Practice Groups, AFCC
Civil Mediation, RCRRMediation Center of Minnesota
Confirmation Bias, AFCC
Looking Inward: Recognizing and Overcoming our Biases, AFCC
Affirming Family Courts for Transgender and Gender-Expansive Youth and Their Families, AFCC
Ethics and Law for the Practicing Psychologist, APA
Ethics in Professional Practice: Fundamental Principles, APA
Is High Conflict High Risk: Ethical and Legal Considerations, Ascend Family Institute
Professional Ethics and Boundaries, The Jonas Center
The Importance of Multipartiality in Parental Alienation and Estrangement Cases, AFCC,
Cross-Cultural Couples Counseling, PESI
Accelerated Resolution Therapy, RCRR
Self-Defeating Habits of Otherwise Brilliant People, Thera-Rising International
Introduction to Evidence-Based Narrative iPractice and Informational Workshop, Kenwood Therapy Center
Taming the Abrasive Manager, The Boss Whispering Institute
Internet Highs and Other Emerging Drug Abuse Trends, Hazelden Foundation
Cyber Junkie: Escape the Gaming and Internet Trap, Hazelden Foundation
Engaging the Spirit of Adolescents and Young Adults, Hazelden Foundation
Narrative Therapy Advanced Training, Narrative Therapy Centre of Toronto
Narrative Therapy with Children and Families, Kenwood Therapy Center
Addressing Trauma: Using a Narrative Therapy Approach, Kenwood Therapy Center
International Narrative Therapy Symposium, Kenwood Therapy Center
Narrative Therapy Certificate Program, Kenwood Therapy center
Narrative Therapy: Cutting the Problem Down to the Size/Style/Knowledge of Young People and Their Families, Kenwood Therapy Center
Using Narrative Therapy when Working with Couples, Kenwood Therapy Center
Gottman Method of Marital Therapy, Advanced Training, The Gottman Institute
Filial Play Therapy, Family Enhancement and Play Therapy Center
