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by
the
My Story
Always innately driven by introspection, curiosity, alignment and a deep passion for facilitating growth within myself and with others, I naturally sought out human development professional experiences. While earning a B.A. in psychology at Saint Anselm College, I worked at a group home for children who experienced abuse and/or neglect and could no longer reside with their families of origin. I vividly remember the mother of a boy who lived there stating, as she prepared to attend a disciplinary school meeting for her son, "I feel so lucky that I get to be here for my son. So many times over the years, I've been too incapacitated to be there for him." This was my first lesson in "get to". Despite the discomfort of facing the choices her son had made, she saw the beauty of this opportunity to get to support him.
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After college, it was important to me to gain practical experience prior to enrolling in graduate school in order to more readily bring the theoretical into the practice. While teaching at a residential school for children and young adults with a myriad of challenges such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disabilities, I had the privilege of supporting students in thee development of job skills through acting as their guide on the side in real employment situations as well as within their home living routines. I was witness to the power that having autonomy and purpose have on engagement, motivation and overall wellness.
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When you see the cowbell symbol throughout my story, it signifies an impactful Moment Of Opportunity that guided me in the creation of the
BBARS of Excellence framework.
All of our stories are comprised of millions of moments. When used in alignment, or in support of, our strengths, our resilience &
potentialities grow exponentially.
Then ready to further my education, I attended graduate school at the University of New Hampshire and received my M.A. in Counseling in 2007. Amongst much learning, both of self and skills, one of my professors expertly guided my understanding of the balance and seemingly juxtaposed human needs of independence and community. As we think about our own needs as well as those with whom we work, striving towards and honoring the balance of our own individuality while working and being in collaboration and coordination with others guides us along our path towards wellness and re-envisioned success.
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Upon graduation, I launched my career as a child and family therapist at a community mental health agency where I had the privilege of working with children and families with diverse needs and challenges. These opportunities are where my passion to help support systems truly began. From all levels within the agency to within the families I was working with, I saw that when systems could be strengthened in alignment with common goals, the individuals within the systems thrived.
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From there, I shifted my career into working as a school counselor with PreK-12 public schools while, for a brief time, simultaneously working as an adjunct professor of psychology at the college level. In these ways, I was interacting with and supporting individuals and families and school systems with dynamic, collaborative, educational neuroscience and strengths-based approaches. From these experiences I was witness to the power of BBARS of Excellence before it had a name. When individuals and groups recognized the humanness in their reactions, they were empowered to learn more prosocial responses. When they were supported with a balance of empathy and clear boundaries, offered restorative justice opportunities, taught explicit skills in growth-mindset climates and provided opportunities for autonomy and choice, they thrived.
Passionate about helping as many people as possible, I launched my own business as a child and family therapist, parent coach and consultant. With this momentum, I serendipitously met a publisher and with the help of him and John Catt Educational Publishing, my life-long dream of becoming an author was realized with Empowered by the Human Design. My goal with the book was to put best practice practical tools in the hands of educators knowing that when their heroic passion and dedication is fueled by effective approaches and moves, they, their students and their schools thrive. And the more educators, students and schools that thrive, the more our world finds re-envisioned success inclusive of wellness and joy.
The BBARS of Excellence model translates beyond education and into systems of families and businesses.
Explore the rest of the website to learn more!
