Wish. Learn. Become.
Tools & Resources for Mental Health & Wellbeing
Who I Serve.
If you have taken the time to learn more about me, you are curious and seeking information to support your family, group, or organization. You recognize the need to improve your understanding of mental health & wellness in order to address their needs. However, you may not know where to start.
You have taken the first step!
I am here to
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listen to your lived experience to help you clarify your needs
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explore the literature that supports best practice interventions
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create a plan with you that educates, equips, & implements a strategy for sustainable change
About Me.
As a health care professional with over 35 years of experience, I have worked in many different clinical and academic settings-hospitals, non-profit agencies, public & private schools, college programs. I have served in diverse roles as a treating occupational therapist, as a department supervisor & clinical educator, as a professor, and as a consultant for program development.
I have worked and taught throughout the Northeast. I have lived in and raised a family in the Kingston community. In 2018, when my youngest child went to college, I continued my own educational journey toward my personal and professional goal of a doctoral degree. In 2020, I attained my OTD with the intention of drawing upon my years of experience and knowledge to serve others in mental health promotion and prevention.
Wish. Learn. Become
Often, I am initially approached by someone with a “wish”, a question or a need for “how do I….?”. From their lived experience, I view their narrative through the lens of my professional experience and knowledge. I generate a clinical picture of what I hear & I translate the query into the language that clarifies and focuses the “wish.”
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My experience is that people are energized by accurate, clear information. As people “learn”, they become empowered to make changes for the better. I use my investigative skills to scour the research & literature, evaluate what I find, and bring my recommendations about best practice to address the need. What have the best minds developed and how can we adapt and use it?
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The next step in this process is the work of “becoming” in which we collaboratively create a sustainable plan that supports mental health, wellbeing and life outcomes that benefit our children & families, groups, and communities.
I am a consultant, educator, collaborator, problem-solver, and connector.
Programs
My mission is to educate and empower individuals & groups to strengthen the mental health and wellbeing of our communities.
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Children & Families
From my experience, children often do not have the language or words to express what they are experiencing. We adults see the behavioral changes and the differences in performance in school, home, or relationships.
Clinically, I come from a perspective of “you are not broken despite what you may be telling yourself or what others are telling you. Let’s look at this together and make a plan for learning new things.”
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As an occupational therapist, I have worked clinically with children who are neurotypical and children who have special needs- addressing skill development in mental health and functional living skills. I have experience in individual, group, family interventions and in program development & implementation.
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Some examples include
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"Adulting" curriculum & classes for young adults
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Self-regulation for behavioral management
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Preparing for transitions to a new school environment or grade
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Mental health challenges such as depression, autism spectrum disorder & trauma
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Functional living skills
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Sensory processing & self-management
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Organizations & Businesses
I have assisted community organizations to create effective programming for their members. Often, there is an initial need identified that is shaped and clarified through conversation.
After researching best practices and programs, I make recommendations for program choice based on clinical evidence of success and sustainability over time. I adapt the tools and strategies of a chosen program to address the unique characteristics of the organization and to make the material accessible at the level of the learner.
Deliverables include organization of program materials, training & implementation, monitoring program outcomes and success, and ongoing check-in & consultation as needed.
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Some examples include
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Mental Health First Aid Training
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PAES Prevocational Skills Program for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders for Ulster BOCES
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Anderson Center for Autism Day Habilitation & Work Skills Program using the TEACCH Curriculum
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Teen Mental Health Curriculum Adapted & Piloted for Ulster BOCES
First Responders
As a family member of first responders in our community, I have both exposure and insight into this unique group of providers. In the past five years, I have developed two types of programming for first responders.
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1. Education to enhance individual & team response in emergency situations from the perspective of the patient or family
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Understanding and responding to behavioral manifestations of mental health needs
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Understanding and responding to children and adults with special needs
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Understanding behavioral responses to trauma
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2. Education focused on first responders as "tactical athletes"
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Understanding and managing the unique stress of emergency situations
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Understanding health & wellness challenges inherent in the first responder’s lifestyle
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Understanding the concepts of trauma and stress specifically applied to first responders
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Mental health & wellness tools & strategies
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Team communication and support
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Some examples include
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Ulster Hose & Marbletown EMS trainings
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Ulster Hose Autism Awareness Day
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Ulster Sheriff's Department Annual Trainings