Neutral Child Specialist Neutral Divorce Coach

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

Multiple trainings in Mediation, Conflict Resolution, Cooperative and Respectful Communication, Family Law, Family Relationships, and Emotional Management, Continue to attend multiple trainings every year.

I have worked with children, teens, adults, and families for over 35 years in a variety of settings which include residential, day programs and outpatient mental health. I believe that in the general course of life things happen that are difficult and that at some point most of us will feel overwhelmed. Divorce can be one of those times. In the Collaborative Divorce process I work as a Neutral Coach providing support and guidance to help to minimize conflict and enhance successful communication where both parties feel heard and respected. This is an emotional transition when big decisions have to be made. Families want to be able to respectfully discuss options and agree on decisions that are thoughtful and mutually beneficial. As a Neutral Child Specialist I meet with the children and assist the parents to make the shift from a spousal relationship to a co-parenting relationship and to reach mutual agreements that will benefit the children. The Neutral Child Specialist guides the parents to create a developmentally appropriate parenting plan for their family that is specific to their needs. I am so glad we finally have an out of court divorce process that helps family members identify goals, have an equal voice, feel heard, and receive the guidance they need to lay the groundwork for a future that is supportive of all of the adults and children involved. Collaborative Divorce allows people to be their best person and to sustain a healthy approach to changing relationships at a time when this can be very difficult. My role is to provide clarification, assistance and support to the adults and children involved in order to successfully work through this emotional process.

Graduation Year : 1990

University Attended : University of Minnesota Masters in Social Work 1990, University of Utah BA Psychology/BS Sociology 1983

Clinical Director and Clinical Supervisor Outpatient Mental Health Therapist Member Collaborative Law Institute (CLI) Member National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Past Board Member and President of Collaborative Law Institute Past Member CLI Excellence Committee Member of CLI Public Education and Outreach Committee Member of International Association of Collaborative Practitioners (IACP) Past Member of CLI and IACP Domestic Violence Committees