I've been there...
I have 3 children who are now adults. Raising them was not easy, yet I
never really noticed until they left home. While I
was “in the trenches” I was busy stuffing lunch boxes,
braiding hair, screaming a little more than I should have, and
letting them have their way a few too many times.
My middle son has very special needs. He taught me about sadness, patience
and a different kind of love. Because of him I learned how to navigate
though the special education maze and to present myself as strong and
knowledgeable, even when I felt like my world was falling apart.
In the
late 80’s I found my way to Social Work School and earned my
Master’s Degree. I learned more about myself! I realized that
I had a lot in common with the families in my textbooks. I had been
scared as a child but you never would have known it—I was the
kid who had it all together.
As I grew older and began raising my children I learned that the events
of my childhood were not my fault. I got help and developed the skills
that were necessary to put the past in the past so that I could be the
parent I wanted to be.
In the 90’s I worked in a public school system where I sat on the
other side of the table. I understood what it felt like to receive rave
reviews about your child at parent’s night. And, I empathized with
the parents who sat at special education meetings surrounded by 6 to 10
teachers and administrators who seemed to have all the answers.
I opened my private practice in 1998. Along with my coaching work with
families, I treat people with high anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder,
and dissociative disorders. I am inspired by the courage that I see everyday.
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